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The family Eresidae C. L. Koch, 1850 is reviewed at the genus level. The family comprises nine genera including one new genus. They are: Adonea Simon, 1873, Dorceus C. L. Koch, 1846, Dresserus Simon, 1876, Eresus Walckenaer, 1805, Gandanameno Lehtinen, 1967, Loureedia gen. n., ParadoneaLawrence, 1968, Seothyra Purcell, 1903, and Stegodyphus Simon, 1873. A key to all genera and major lineages is provided along with corresponding diagnoses, as well as descriptions of selected species. These are documented with collections of photographs, scanning electron micrographs, and illustrations. A new phylogeny of Eresidae based on molecular sequence data expands on a previously published analysis. A species of the genus Paradonea Lawrence, 1968 is sequenced and placed phylogenetically for the first time. New sequences from twenty Gandanameno Lehtinen, 1967 specimens were added to investigate species limits within the genus. The genus Loureedia gen. n. is proposed to accommodate Eresus annulipes Lucas, 1857. Two species, Eresus semicanus Simon, 1908 and Eresus jerbae El-Hennawy, 2005, are synonymized with Loureedia annulipes comb. n. One new species, Paradonea presleyi sp. n. is described. Eresus algericus El-Hennawy, 2004 is transferred to Adonea Simon, 1873. The female of Dorceus fastuosus C. L. Koch, 1846 is described for the first time. The first figures depicting Paradonea splendens (Lawrence, 1936) are presented.
ladybird spiders, molecular phylogeny, spinneret spigot morphology, taxonomy
The Eresidae, commonly known as velvet spiders (
A–H Habitus of living Eresidae, photographs. A, B Adonea fimbriata A juvenile female (photo by Martin Forman) B adult male from Israel (photo by Martin Forman) C Dresserus kannemeyeri, adult female from Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa (photo Stanislav Macík) D Dresserus sp., adult malefrom Namibia, between the towns Aus and Helmeringhausen (26°13.049'S, 16°36.063'E; photo by Martin Forman) E, F Gandanameno sp. E subadult female from Cape Town, South Africa (Stanislav Macík) F adult male from Anysberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape Province, South Africa (photo Martin Forman) G, H adult male Loureedia annulipes; G from Tel Krayot, Israel (photo by Martin Forman) H from Arad, Israel (photo by Martin Forman).
A–H Habitus of living Eresidae, photographs. A, B Eresus kollari A adult female from Hungary (photo by Tamás Szűts) B adult male from Kadaň, Czechia, (photo by Pavel Krásenský) C, E Eresus walckenaeri; C adult female from Greece (photo by Sergio Henriques) D adult male from Mihas, Greece (photo by Martin Forman) E juvenile female F Seothyra sp., juvenile female, from Brandberg, Namibia (photo by Martin Forman) G, H Paradonea variegata (photos by Martin Forman) G juvenile female from Betta, Namibia H adult male from Homeb, Namibia.
A–I Habitus of living Stegodyphus, photographs. A–C Stegodyphus lineatus A adult female from Hurghada, Egypt B adult female from Negev desert, Israel (photo by Rudolf Macek) C adult female from Shoam, Israel (photo by Amir Weinstein) D juvenile Stegodyphus tibialis feeding on their mother, Dali, China (photo by Yang Zi-Zhong) E Stegodyphus mimosarum, male (black arrow), females and a kleptoparasite Archeodictyna (white arrow) F Stegodyphus mimosarum, mass attack on a carabid G a female Stegodyphus dumicola feeding her offsprings H a pompilid wasp larva feeds on a female Stegodyphus dumicola (photos E–H by Teresa Meikle) I Stegodyphus sp. female from ShweSettaw Wildlife Reservation, Myanmar (photo by Dong Lin).
A–L Retreats, webs, and habitus of living Eresidae, photographs. A Adonea fimbriata retreat on the ground from Sede Boqer, Israel (photo by Efrat Gavish-Regev) B Dresserus sp. retreat in the grass (photo by Charles Haddad) C Eresus walckenaeri retreat of juvenile from Ioannina, Greece (photo by Siegfried Huber) D–E Gandanameno sp. from west of Helmeringhausen Namibia (photos by Martin Forman) D Retreat on Acacia E female, with egg sac and various prey remnants F Gandanameno sp. femalefrom Amanzi Game Reserve, South Africa (photo by Tamás Szűts) G, H Seothyra sp. from Namibia G retreat under sand, showing the antelope track pattern H specimen and the exposed retreat (photos E–H, J, L by Teresa Meikle) I Loureedia annulipes, burrow from Sede Boqer, Israel (photo by Efrat Gavish-Regev) J–L Stegodyphus retreats J Stegodyphus dumicola from Spioenkop, South Africa K Stegodyphus lineatus from Tel-Hadid, Israel (photo by Amir Weinstein) L Stegodyphus mimosarum from Spioenkop, South Africa.
Taxonomic research on Eresidae goes back to 1778, when Martini and Goeze described a male from Bavaria, Germany, and named it Aranea sandaliata (
Eresidae as a family-level taxon was established by Koch, who called it Eresides (
Eresidae was historically divided into two subfamilies: Eresinae and Penestominae (
Nearly all eresids are distributed in Europe, Africa, and Asia, but records from Brazil also exist. In the original description of Eresus annulipes Lucas, 1857 (transferred herein to a new genus), the author gives “Rio-Janeiro” Brazil as the locality. However, the vial with the type specimen (examined by MR) includes a label indicating that the locality is unknown (“patria ignota”). Subsequent collections indicate that this species comes from arid parts of the Mediterranean. A second Brazilian eresid, Stegodyphus manaus Kraus and Kraus, 1992 appears to be a legitimate eresid not known from any other part of the world (
Presumably because of the broad carapace and ocular area and widely dispersed eyes, Eresidae was traditionally associated with families such as Palpimanidae and Salticidae.
In a landmark paper in spider systematics,
After the widespread adoption of cladistic reasoning in Arachnology and advent of matrix based comparative data and computer assisted analyses, eresid placement and circumscription continued to evolve.
A–B Historical hypotheses of the phylogenetic position of Eresidae. A simplified cladogram from
A–B Historical hypotheses of the phylogenetic position of Eresidae. A simplified implied weights cladogram (K=6, fit=115.93, L=488) from Griswold et al. (2005: 316, fig. 219) B simplified Bayesian tree from
A–B Historical phylogenetic hypotheses of relationships among Eresidae. A tree from Lehtinen (1967: 387, fig. 13). Magunia was synonymized with Stegodyphus by
The silk glands and spinnerets of Eresidae have been discussed previously but their interpretation remains controversial.
Specimens were critical point dried, then mounted on stubs or round-headed rivets using a combination of white glue, nail polish, and adhesive copper or aluminum tape. They were sputter coated with platinum-palladium and scanned with one or more of the following: a JEOL JSM-6335F field emission scanning electron microscope, a JEOL JSM-840A scanning electron microscope, and a FEI Inspect scanning electron microscope, all at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, or a LEO 1450VP at the California Academy of Sciences. Electron micrographs of internal female reproductive structures were accomplished by first dissolving soft tissue from dissected epigyna in pancreatin P1750 enzyme (
Specimens were photographed in dishes of alcohol or temporary slide mounts (
PLE position is expressed as a ratio of the distance from the anterior margin of the carapace to the anterior margin of the PLE divided by total carapace length. Eye diameter measured to the outside margin (analogous to measuring the cornea rather than the iris). Carapace length measured to the straight anterior margin excluding the clypeal hood.
We use the terms horizontal axis and vertical axis to describe the configuration of the median eyes. Overlapping on the horizontal axis means that if one drew a line connecting the ventral limits of the PMEs, it would pass through the AMEs (Fig. 10G); separated on the horizontal axis means that the line would not pass through the AME (Fig. 11A). Similarly, if one drew a perpendicular line tangential to the mesal limit of a PME and it passed through the corresponding AME, we call this overlapping on the vertical axis (Fig. 11E); separated on the vertical axis means that the line would not pass through the AME (Fig. 8I). Arrangement of the eyes and eye rows is depicted schematically in Figs 8–11.
A–L Schematic illustrations of the carapace of assorted eresids A–D Adonea fimbriata E–H Dorceus fastuosus I–L Dresserus sp. A–B, E–F, I–J male C–D, G–H, K–L female A, C, E, G, I, K anterior view B, D, F, H, J, L dorsal view. Dashed line in I drawn tangential to the mesal margin of the PME does not intersect with the AME indicating median eyes separated on vertical axis. Dashed lines at posterior of carapace indicate uncertainty. Not to scale.
A–L Schematic illustrations of the carapace of assorted eresids. A–D Eresus kollari E–H Gandanameno sp. I–L Loureedia annulipes A–B, E–F, I–J male C–D, G–H, K–L female A, C, E, G, I, K anterior view B, D, F, H, J, L dorsal view. Dashed lines at posterior of carapace indicate uncertainty. Not to scale.
A–L Schematic illustrations of the carapace of assorted eresids. A–B Paradonea striatipes C–D Paradonea splendens E–H Paradonea variegata I–L Seothyra henscheli A–D, E–F, I–J male G–H, K–L female. A, C, E, G, I, K anterior view B, D, F, H, J, L dorsal view G illustrates example of median eyes overlapping on horizontal axis. Dashed lines at posterior of carapace indicate uncertainty. Not to scale.
A–L Schematic illustrations of the carapace of assorted Stegodyphus species. A–D Stegodyphus lineatus E–H Stegodyphus mimosarum I–L Stegodyphus sarasinorum. A–B, E–F, I–J male C–D, G–H, K–L female A, C, E, G, I, K anterior view B, D, F, H, J, L dorsal view A illustrates example of median eyes separated on horizontal axis; E illustrates example of median eyes overlapping on vertical axis. Dashed lines at posterior of carapace indicate uncertainty. Not to scale.
Specimen collection data are given in Appendix A. Latitude-longitude coordinate pairs inferred from labels are given in square brackets; coordinates explicitly given on labels are not in square brackets. Some coordinate pairs are taken from the Iziko South African Museum (Cape Town) collections database are so indicated.
Descriptions were made mostly based on alcohol-preserved museum specimens. Some color information can be lost from such specimens.
The following anatomical abbreviations were used in the text and figures: AC: aciniform gland spigot; AER: anterior eye row; AL: anterior lobe [applied to epigynum of Loureedia gen. n.]; ALS: anterior lateral spinneret; ALE: anterior lateral eye; AME: anterior median eye; BH: basal haematodocha; C: conductor; E: embolus; MAP: major ampullate gland spigot; mAP: minor ampullate gland spigot; MH: median haematodocha; ML: median lobe (of epigynum); MS: modified spigot; PER: posterior eye row; PI: piriform gland spigot; PLS: posterior lateral spinneret; PLE: posterior lateral eye; PME: posterior median eye; PMS: posterior median spinneret; S: spermatheca; SH: spermathecal head; ST: subtegulum; T: tegulum. References to figures published elsewhere are listed in lowercase type (fig.); references to figures in this paper are listed with an initial capital (Fig.).
Institutional abbreviations are as follows: CAS: California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco); TMSA: Ditsong National Museum of Natural History [formerly the Transvaal Museum] (Pretoria); HUJ: Hebrew University of Jerusalem; SAM: Iziko South African Museum (Cape Town); MHNG: Musée d’Histoire Naturelle (Genève); MNHN: Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris); ZMHB: Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt Universität Berlin; NCA: National Collection of Arachnida, ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute (Pretoria); BMSA: National Museum Bloemfontein; NMN: National Museum of Namibia (Windhoek); BMNH: The Natural History Museum (London); NMW: Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (Vienna); RMNH: Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis (Leiden); ZMUC: Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen. Some specimens used for this research are deposited in the personal collection of Milan Řezáč (MR). Specimen record codes often incorporate collection information, but this is not always the case and can be misleading. For this reason, specimens are referenced by both the record code (if available) and collection abbreviation.
Molecular methodsPCR products were generated either in the DNA Markerpoint Lab at the University of Leiden using standard methods (see
The data were analyzed using MrBayes version 3.1 (
Genbank accession numbers for new sequences generated for this study. Codes identify individual specimens and are kept as labels with vouchers.
Taxon | Code | Sex | Brief location | COI | 28S |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gandanameno sp. | 18-01 | Female | South Africa: Western Cape: De Hoop Nat Reserve, Potberg | JQ026497 | |
Gandanameno sp. | 18-04 | Female | South Africa: Western Cape: Swartberg, Nat. Res. Gamkaskloof | JQ026498 | |
Gandanameno sp. | 18-05 | Male | Zimbabwe: Harare, 19 Walmer Drive | JQ026499 | |
Gandanameno sp. | 18-06 | Male | South Africa: Western Cape: Farm Tierberg, NE of Prince Albert | JQ026500 | |
Gandanameno sp. | 18-08 | Male | South Africa: Western Cape: Farm Tierberg, NE of Prince Albert | JQ026501 | |
Gandanameno sp. | 19-03 | Female | South Africa: Free State Province: Bloemfontein | JQ026502 | |
Gandanameno sp. | 19-06 | Female | South Africa: Eastern Cape: Willowmore, Uitspan | JQ026503 | |
Gandanameno sp. | 19-07 | Female | South Africa: Free State Province: Bloemfontein | JQ026504 | |
Gandanameno sp. | 20-02 | Female | South Africa: Western Cape: Knysna, Southern Comfort | JQ026506 | |
Gandanameno sp. | 20-04 | Female | South Africa: Gauteng: Rietfontein, Pretoria | JQ026496 | |
Gandanameno sp. | 20-05 | Male | South Africa: Eastern Cape: Uitenhage, Springs Resort | JQ026505 | |
Gandanameno sp. | RMNH.ARA.14513 | Male | South Africa: Western Cape: Vanrhynsdorp | JQ026507 | |
Gandanameno sp. | RMNH.ARA.14514 | Male | South Africa: Western Cape: route N7 | JQ026508 | |
Gandanameno sp. | RMNH.ARA.14515 | Male | South Africa: Western Cape: Anysberg Nature Reserve | JQ026509 | |
Gandanameno sp. | RMNH.ARA.14516 | Male | South Africa: Western Cape: Cape Town | JQ026510 | |
Gandanameno sp. | RMNH.ARA.14517 | Female | South Africa: Western Cape: route N7 | JQ026511 | |
Gandanameno sp. | RMNH.ARA.14518 | Male | South Africa: Western Cape: route N7 | JQ026512 | |
Gandanameno sp. | RMNH.ARA.14519 | Female | South Africa: Western Cape: Anysberg Nature Reserve | JQ026513 | |
Gandanameno sp. | RMNH.ARA.14520 | Female | South Africa: Western Cape: Cape Town surroundings | JQ026514 | |
Gandanameno sp. | RMNH.ARA.14521 | Female | Namibia: Homeb | JQ026515 | |
Paradonea variegata | RMNH.ARA.14512 | Male | Namibia: app. 50 km SW Aus (on road C13) | JQ026516 | JQ026518 |
Paradonea variegata | RMNH.ARA.14522 | Male | Namibia: app. 50 km SW Aus (on road C13) | JQ026517 |
We used the Pensoft IPT Data Hosting Center to expose specimen occurrence records to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF; http://ipt.pensoft.net/ipt/resource.do?r=specimen_occurrence_data). A KML (Keyhole Markup Language) file for viewing these same specimen occurrence records interactively in Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/) plus links to species pages on the Encyclopedia of Life (http://www.eol.org/) is available as part of a Dryad data package (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.qj8t7r0q).
The alignment of the molecular sequence data used for the phylogenetic analysis is available on Dryad (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.qj8t7r0q). Figures showing the full phylogenetic tree (Fig. S1) and images of some specimens newly sequenced for this study (Figs S2, S3) are available as an electronic document via Dryad (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.qj8t7r0q).
Systematicshttp://species-id.net/wiki/Eresidae
Distinguished from other three-clawed, eight-eyed, cribellate entelegyne spiders except Penestomidae by their subrectangular carapace and clypeal hood; distinguished from Penestomidae by the absence of an RTA on the male palpal tibia, the absence of a median apophysis arising from the palpal tegulum, the absence of a posterior lobe of the epigynum (the posterior lobe is a separate plate in Penestomidae; compare Figs 45A, 93A with
Somatic morphology:Carapace subrectangular in dorsal view; cephalic region may be strongly raised. Eight eyes in two rows, posterior eye row strongly recurved so that the PLE are set far back from the others (Figs 8B, D, F, H, J, L, 9B, D, F, H, J, L, 10 B, D, F, H, J, L, 11B, D, F, H, J, L). Tapetum absent from eyes. The anterior-median part of carapace extended ventrally into a clypeal hood (Figs 8A, C, E, G, I, K, 9A, C, E, G, I, K, 10A, C, E, G, I, K, 11A, C, E, G, I, K). Two or more setal morphologies typically present appearing as dark and white setae in museum specimens (Figs 35B, 81D, 91B). Chelicerae robust, may be contiguous (Fig. 19G) or excavated mesally (Fig. 68F), distal anterior part with dense cluster of strong setae near fang (Fig. 28C), usually with boss (Figs 28B, 46B, 56E, but see 56C); large single keel anterior to fang, may be serrate, with series of small denticles leading towards base of fang; there is no distinct fang furrow (Figs 34F, 91F). Female palp with tarsal claw (Fig. 92F). Legs usually short with two rows of trichobothria on tibiae and one distal trichobothrium on metatarsi. Bothria have series of transverse grooves proximally (Figs 25D, 38B, 45E, 92B). Tarsal organ small, capsulate, and positioned near the distal tip (Figs 38A, 46D, 92A). Major and median claws with series of teeth (Figs 38C, 92C). Linear calamistrum occupies entire length of metatarsus IV (Figs 25E, 38D, 46E, 92D), with a dorsal patch of smaller calamistral setae (i.e., with lines of teeth, Figs 25F, 31F, 38E, 46F, 67F, 82F, 92E). In some eresids, the line of primary calamistrum setae is not clearly distinguishable from the dorsal patch (Figs 25F, 31F, 46F, 67F). Abdomen generally oblong with distinct dorsal sigilla (Figs 3I, 4H, 19A, 47I, 89E). Posterior respiratory system comprises four simple tracheal tubes (
Male palp: Male palpal tibia without apophysis, with two rows of trichobothria (Figs 27F, 34E, 55F). Palpal bulb with sclerotized conductor that interacts with spiral embolus (Figs 27C, 34D, 41F, 90D), expansion occurs in both the basal and median haematodochae (Figs 12F, 13C, F, 15C, L). Axis of spiral typically proximal-distal with embolus encircling distal part (Figs 12B, 13B, H, J, 14I, 15B, H, K), occasionally more or less ventral-dorsal with embolus encircling ventral part (Dresserus and Gandanameno; Figs 12G, 13D, 33I–K, 48A–F).
A–L Left male palpi of eresid species, photomicrographs. A–C Adonea fimbriata from Algeria-Morocco (MR012, MR) D–F Dorceus fastuosus from Mashabin Sand Dunes, Israel (MR006, HUJ) G–I Dresserus sp. from Manga Forest Reserve, Tanzania J–L Eresus walckenaeri from Leptokaryas, Greece (MR020, MR) A, D, G, J prolateral view B, E, K retrolateral view H ventral view C, F, I, L expanded palp. BH basal haematodocha MH median haematodocha.
A–L Left male palpi of eresid species, photomicrographs. A–C Eresus kollari from res. Radotinske udoli, Czechia (MR007, MR) D–F Gandanameno sp. from Van Riebeeck Park, Western Cape, South Africa (CASENT 9023763, CAS) G–I Loureedia annulipes from Haluqim Ridge, Israel (PET03, MR) J, K Paradonea striatipes from Otjivasandu (NMN), Namibia L Paradonea splendens from Sunnyside, South Africa (C1076, SAM) A, D, G, J, L prolateral view B, H, K retrolateral view E ventral view C, F, I expanded palp. BH basal haematodocha MH median haematodocha.
A–L Left male palpi of Paradonea species, photomicrographs. A Paradonea splendens from Sunnyside, South Africa (C1076, SAM) B, C Paradonea variegata from Breekkierie Dunes, Northern Cape, South Africa (C1062, SAM) D–I Paradonea parva D–F holotype from junction of Marico and Crocodile Rivers, South Africa (B3701, SAM) G–I from 4 km N of Hopetown, Northern Cape, South Africa (AcAT 97/988, NCA) J–L Paradonea presleyi sp. n. holotype from Falcon College, Zimbabwe (CASENT 9039236, CAS) A, C, F, I, L retrolateral view B, D, G, J prolateral view E, H, K ventral view.
A–L Left male palpi of eresid species, photomicrographs. A–C Seothyra henscheli from Gobabeb Station, Namibia (SMN 40828, NMN) D, F Stegodyphus lineatus D–E from Negev, Israel (MR) F from Nengrahar, Afghanistan (MR010, MR) G–I Stegodyphus mimosarum from Forêt d'Analalava, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (CASENT 9015950, CAS) J–L Stegodyphus sarasinorum from 7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Magway Division, Myanmar (CASENT 9019370, CAS) A, D, G, J prolateral view B, E, H, K retrolateral view C, F, I, L expanded palp. BH basal haematodocha MH median haematodocha.
A–L Epigyna of eresid species, photomicrographs. A, D Adonea fimbriata; A from Mehav Am village, Israel (MR003, MR) D from Wadi Mashash, Israel (MR013, HUJ) B, E Dorceus fastuosus from Mashabim sand dunes, Israel (MR002, MR) C, F Dresserus sp. from Klein Kariba, South Africa (CASENT 9025745, CAS) G, J Eresus walckenaeri from 5 km south of Monemvasia, Lakonia, Greece (ZMUC 00012903, ZMUC) H, K Eresus kollari from res. Radotinske udoli, Czechia (MR016, MR) I, L Eresus sandaliatus from SE of Silkeborg, Denmark (CASENT 9039243, CAS) A–C, G–I ventral viewD–F, J–L dorsal view, cleared. CD copulatory duct ML median lobe S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
Female genitalia: Epigynum present with entelegyne configuration, one pair of spermathecae (typically in a posterior position except in Dresserus and Gandanameno, where they are anterior), and spermathecal heads (typically in an anterior position and far from the spermathecae except in Dresserus and Gandanameno, where they are adjacent to the spermathecae; Figs 16D–F, J–L, 17D–F, 18D–F, J–L, 22B, 29D, 37E, 42D, 45B, 59C, 65B, 76B, 82B, 86B, 93B); posterior lobe absent (compare Figs 45A, 93A with
A–F Epigyna of Gandanameno sp., photomicrographs. A, D from Iringa, Tanzania (ZMUC 19970517, ZMUC) B, E from Kommetjie, Western Cape, South Africa (CASENT 9039241, CAS), note broken embolus left in female reproductive system C, F from Port Elizabeth, South Africa (port-3325, ZMHB) A–C ventral view D–F dorsal view, cleared. CD copulatory duct S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
A–L Epigyna of eresid species, photomicrographs. A, D Loureedia annulipes from Wadi Mashash, Negev, Israel (MR019, MR) B, E Paradonea variegata from Steinkopf, Northern Cape, South Africa (ZMB 26964, ZMHB) C, F Seothyra henscheli; C from Kuiseb River, Gobabeb, Namibia (SMN 46627, NMN) F from Sout Rivier, Namibia (CASENT 9039242, CAS) G, J Stegodyphus lineatus from Belkis, near Birecor, Turkey (MR015, MR) H, K Stegodyphus mimosarum H from Forêt d'Analalava, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (CASENT 9015950, CAS) K from Réserve Spéciale de Cap Sainte Marie, Toliara, Madagascar (CASENT 9012844, CAS) I, L Stegodyphus sarasinorum from 7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Magway Division, Myanmar (CASENT 9019370, CAS) A–C, G–I ventral view D–F, J–L dorsal view, cleared. AL anterior lobe ML median lobe S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
Spinneret spigot morphology: ALS typically with multiple MAP (absent in Seothyra, Figs 77B, 78B) and a field of PI (Figs 36B, 94B). PMS with one to several mAP and a field of AC, occasionally elongated and divided into two lobes (female Dresserus and Gandanameno, Figs 36C, 57A, C), CY present (Figs 36C–D, 57C, 58E) or uncertain. PLS with field of AC, MS positioned on dorsal part adjacent to ALS far from rest of field, may be accompanied by one (Dorceus, Figs 30F, 32F) or two (Eresus sandaliatus group, Loureedia gen. n., Seothyra, Stegodyphus, Figs 67D, 87D, 95E) flanking AC (no MS-flanking AC in at least Dresserus and Gandanameno, Figs 36E, 57D, 58C, 61B–C). Cribellum present with median division in most genera (Figs 57E, 77E, 87A, 94A, E), each half subdivided in Dresserus (Fig. 36F). Multiple epiandrous gland spigots present in male (Figs 22E–F, 28D, 39F, 45F, 61E–F, 65F, 74E–F, 80E–F, 85E–F, 93F).
Our phylogenetic analysis is a modest expansion of
(note: females of Paradonea striatipes Lawrence, 1968, Paradonea splendens (Lawrence, 1936), Paradonea parva (Tucker, 1920), and Paradonea presleyi sp. n. are unknown)
1a | Median eyes small, subequal in size, and no more than slightly overlapping on vertical axis (Figs 8E, G, 10I, K). ALS enlarged, extensible, PLS reduced (Figs 32A, 72D, H, 77A, 78A) | 2 |
1b | PME larger than AME (Fig. 8A) or if nearly equal in size then significantly overlapping on vertical axis (Fig. 11A). ALS no more than slightly longer than PLS (Figs 36A, 57A, 94A) | 3 |
2a | Cephalic region longer than wide (Figs 10J, 72A, E). Male leg I enlarged (Figs 72A, 74A). Palpal conductor highly variable and elaborate, usually longer than tegular division (Figs 15B, 72J, 73A, B; see also |
Seothyra |
2b | Cephalic region wider than long (Figs 8F, H, 26A, E, 29B). Male legs I and II subequal (Fig. 26A). Palpal conductor a simple spiral, shorter than tegular division (Figs 26I, 27A). Median lobe of epigynum wider than long with more or less straight, converging lateral margins (Figs 16B, 29C) | Dorceus |
3a | Median eyes separated on horizontal axis by ca. half of one AME diameter or more (Figs 10A, 11A) | 4 |
3b | Median eyes no more than slightly separated on horizontal axis (Figs 9A, I, 10G) | 7 |
4a | PME position ca. 0.44, cephalic region trapezoidal, much wider anteriorly than posteriorly (Figs 10D, 68D) with straight posterior margin that overhangs thoracic region | Paradonea splendens |
4b | PME position < 0.3, cephalic region subtriangular with round posterior margin (Figs 68A, 79A, E) that does not overhang thoracic region | 5 |
5a | Median eyes not overlapping on vertical axis, ALE much smaller than PLE (ALE/PLE ca. 0.3; Figs 10A, 68C) | Paradonea striatipes |
5b | Median eyes significantly overlapping on vertical axis, ALE more than half the diameter of the PLE (Fig. 11E) | 6 |
6a | Clypeal hood long, acute (Figs 11E, 81A) | Stegodyphus |
6b | Clypeal hood short, ca. 90° (Fig. 70I) | Paradonea presleyi sp. n. |
7a | PLE position < 0.28. Male palp with dorsal-ventral axis with embolus encircling ventral part (Figs 12G, 13D, 33I–K, 48A–F). Epigynum with wide atria separated by hirsute cuticle (Figs 17A–C, 59A). Copulatory ducts coil at least once around fertilization ducts, spermathecal head adjacent to spermathecae (Figs 17D–F, 59C). Female PMS subdivided (Figs 36C, 57A, C) | 8 |
7b | PLE position > 0.31. Male palp with proximal-distal axis with embolus encircling distal part (Figs 12B, 13B, H, J, 14I, 15B, H, K). Epigynum usually with slit-like atria separated by glabrous median lobe (Figs 29C, 45A, 65A, 76A, 93A), if separated by hirsute cuticle (Figs 16G, 42B), then copulatory ducts sinuous and spermathecal head separated from spermathecae (Figs 16J, 42D). Female PMS entire (Figs 66C, 94C) | 9 |
8a | Male with ALE on pointed apophyses (Fig. 8J). Embolus encircles palp for less than 1.5 turns (Fig. 34A–D). Copulatory duct makes ca. 1 turn around fertilization ducts (Figs 16F, 37E). Cribellum divided into four parts (Fig. 36F) | Dresserus |
8b | Male ALE not on pointed apophyses (Fig. 9F). Embolus encircles palp ca. 3 turns (Figs 48, 55A–D). Copulatory duct makes ca. 3 turns around fertilization duct (Figs 17D–F, 59C). Cribellum usually divided into two parts, occasionally signs of four part cribellum evident (Fig. 57E) | Gandanameno |
9a | Cephalic region wider than long (Figs 9J, L, 62A, E). Palpal conductor with bifid process (Fig. 63D, E). Vulva with compact duct system and anterior lobe (Figs 18D, 65B) | Loureedia gen. n. |
9b | Cephalic region longer than wide. Palpal conductor without bifid process. Vulva variable, without anterior lobe | 10 |
10a | Clypeal hood ca 90° (Figs 69C, F, 70F, I) | 11 |
10b | Clypeal hood forms clearly acute angle (Figs 8C, 9C) | 12 |
11a | Male chelicerae strongly excavated mesally (Fig. 69C). Embolic division of male palp shorter than tegular division (Figs 14B, C, 69G, H). Epigynum as in Fig. 18B | Paradonea variegata (Purcell, 1904) |
11b | Chelicerae only slightly excavated mesally (Fig. 70C, F). Embolic division of male palp longer than tegular division (Fig. 14D–I). Female unknown | Paradonea parva |
12a | Male with cephalic region overhanging thoracic region posteriorly (Fig. 19D) and dorsal surface of abdomen dark gray, nearly encircled by a band of white setae, with numerous patches of white setae dorsally, especially around sigilla (Fig. 19A). Female with cephalic region strongly raised so posterior margin is nearly vertical (Figs 1A, 19H) | Adonea |
12b | Male with cephalic region not overhanging thoracic region posteriorly and dorsal surface of abdomen usually with two pairs of large round dark patches surrounding the first and second sigilla on a field of red setae (Figs 2B, D, 40A, 43A), occasionally all black. Female with cephalic region only moderately raised (Figs 40H, 43H) | Eresus |
http://species-id.net/wiki/Adonea
Adonea contains one recognized species, Adonea fimbriata Simon, 1873, from the Mediterranean. In addition, Eresus algericus El-Hennawy, 2004 is transferred to Adonea and may be a junior synonym of Adonea fimbriata. We examined syntype specimens from Algeria and Tunisia, and additional specimens from the Algeria-Morocco border and Israel.
Male distinguished from other eresids except Paradonea splendens by the profile of the carapace, which has the posterior part of the cephalic region overhanging the anterior part of the thoracic region (Fig. 19D); distinguished from Paradonea splendens by several characters including the subtriangular shape of the cephalic region that is rounded posteriorly (Fig. 19A; trapezoidal in Paradonea splendens and straight posteriorly, Fig. 68D) and by the mesally contiguous chelicerae (Fig. 19C; mesally excavated in Paradonea splendens, Fig. 68F).
Female distinguished from other eresids except Loureedia gen. n., Eresus walckenaeri Brullé, 1832, and some Paradonea species by the relatively large PME (AME/PME ca. 0.4, Fig. 19G); distinguished from Loureedia gen. n. by the longer than wide cephalic region (wider than long in Loureedia gen. n.); from Eresus walckenaeri by the presence of a glabrous median lobe between the copulatory openings (Fig. 22A; hirsute cuticle between the copulatory openings in Eresus walckenaeri, Fig. 42B); and from Paradonea variegata by the nearly vertical posterior margin of the cephalic region (Figs 1A, 19H; cephalic region only moderately raised in Paradonea variegata); females of other Paradonea species are unknown. The proportions of the epigynum in Adonea, which is more than two times wider than long, further separates it from most eresids (Figs 16A, 22A).
Known from Loess desert habitat with low shrubs, often in wadis. They build a simple vertical or inclined burrow lined by silk, often on the edge of stones. The opening is covered by a silken flap camouflaged from above by debris. Signaling threads radiate out from the edges of this roof. Prey include various epigaeic arthropods, especially beetles from the family Tenebrionidae. Prey remnants are incorporated into the roof of the burrow. Males take approximately 2–3 years to mature, females one year longer (Martin Forman, personal observation).
http://species-id.net/wiki/Adonea_fimbriata
Figs 1A, B, 4A, 8A–D, 12A–C, 16A, D, 19 –25Male (Algeria-Morocco, MR012, MR): Carapace with band of white setae around margin of thoracic region and scattered patches elsewhere; cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, strongly raised with rounded posterior margin overhanging thoracic region; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.48), median eyes slightly overlapping on horizontal and vertical axes, PME somewhat sunken into carapace; ALE tubercles present; PER slightly narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.88), PLE position on carapace 0.35; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea indistinct. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with bands of white setae; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV and scattered short ventral macrosetae on tibia, metatarsus and tarsus I–IV. Abdomen dark gray, nearly encircled by a band of white setae, with numerous patches of white setae dorsally, especially around sigilla (Figs 8A, B, 19A–D).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis, tegulum moderately elongate, subtrapezoidal; second loop of sperm duct curves proximally away from then back to distal margin of tegulum in retrolateral view (Figs 12B, 19J); conductor and embolus together form apical complex making one helical turn; conductor tapers to point; tegular division longer than embolic division; cymbium with one retrolateral and several prolateral macrosetae (Figs 12A–C, 19I, J, 20A–F).
Female (Wadi Mashash, Israel, MR013, HUJ): Carapace with scattered white setae; cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, so strongly raised as to be nearly vertical (Figs 1A, 19H); AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.37), median eyes slightly overlapping on horizontal and vertical axes; PME somewhat sunken into carapace; ALE tubercles indistinct; PER slightly narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.82), PLE position on carapace 0.39; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea indistinct (Figs 8C, D, 19E-H, 21A, B, E). Chelicerae contiguous mesally, boss present (Figs 19G, 21C, D). Legs with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV and scattered short ventral macrosetae on tibia, metatarsus and tarsus I–IV. Abdomen with numerous patches of white setae dorsally, especially around sigilla (Figs 1A, 19E).
Epigynum with slightly converging slit-like atria occupying nearly the total length, anterior-lateral margin a curved ridge (Figs 16A, 22A). Vulva with spermathecal heads set anterior-mesally on curved stalks leading to multilobed spermathecae that diverge posteriorly (Figs 16D, 22B–D).
A–J Adonea fimbriata. A–D, I–J male from Algeria-Morocco (MR012, MR) E–H female from Mehav Am village, Israel (MR003, MR) A–D habitus of male, photomicrographs E–H habitus of female photomicrographs I, J illustrations of left male palp A, E dorsal view B, F ventral view C, G anterior view. D, H lateral view I prolateral view J retrolateral view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Adonea fimbriata from Algeria-Morocco (MR012, MR), scanning electron micrographs of right male palp, images reversed to appear as left palp. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C detail of embolic division, prolateral view D detail of embolic division, retrolateral view E ventral view F apical view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Adonea fimbriata from Mehav Am village, Israel (MR003, MR), scanning electron micrographs of female prosoma. A anterior view B dorsal view C left chelicerae, lateral view D left cheliceral boss E lateral view F sternum and coxae, ventral view
A–F Adonea fimbriata, scanning electron micrographs. A female from Mehav Am village, Israel (MR003, MR) B–D female from Wadi Mashash, Israel (MR013, HUJ) E, F male from Algeria-Morocco (MR012, MR) A–D vulva E, F epiandrous region A epigynum, ventral view B cleared vulva, dorsal view C detail, spermathecal heads D detail, right spermatheca E epiandrous region F detail of epiandrous gland spigots. ML median lobe S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
A–F Adonea fimbriata, female from Mehav Am village, Israel (MR003, MR), scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets. A right ALS B detail of spigots on right ALS C PMS D right PLS E cribellar spigots F arrow indicating tarsal organ, left leg I. Unlabeled spigots in C thought to be a mixture of aciniform gland spigots and cylindrical gland spigots. AC aciniform gland spigot MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot PI piriform gland spigot.
A–F Adonea fimbriata, male from Algeria-Morocco (MR012, MR), scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets. A overview B right ALS C right PMS D right PLS E aciniform field on right PLS F modified spigot on right PLS. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret.
A–F Adonea fimbriata, scanning electron micrographs. A–C male from Algeria-Morocco (MR012, MR) D–F female from Mehav Am village, Israel (MR003, MR) A–C spinnerets and vestigial cribellum. D–F legs of female A detail of spigots on right male ALS B vestigial cribellum C detail of vestigial cribellum D trichobothrium, left metatarsus I E calamistrum, right metatarsus IV F detail, calamistrum seta, right metatarsus IV. MAP major ampullate gland spigot.
(Mehav Am village, Israel, MR003, MR, and Algeria-Morocco, MR012, MR). Female ALS with at least 5 MAP, at least 1 within and at least 4 on mesal edge of spinning field, with at least 40 PI (Fig. 23A, B); male with fewer PI (Fig. 24B). Female PMS with 2 anterior mAP, posterior field of 21 spigots that vary in size and shape (Fig. 23C); male with only 7 posterior spigots, suggesting that female may have both AC and CY spigots (Fig. 24C). Male PLS with basal MS apparently unaccompanied by flanking AC, distal field of 15 AC (Fig. 24D, F; our female preparation inadequate to view spigots). Male cribellar plate with no sign of spigots (Fig. 25B, C); epiandrous gland spigots present (Fig. 22E, F).
http://species-id.net/wiki/Dorceus
Dorceus contains five recognized species previously recorded only from North Africa. The genus was revised by
Distinguished from other eresid genera except Seothyra by the small median eyes subequal in size (Fig. 26C, G; AME/PME > 0.7), and the long, extensible ALS contrasting with reduced PLS (Fig. 32A; although ALS may be retracted and therefore not look so long); distinguished from other eresid genera except Loureedia gen. n., some Dresserus, and Paradonea splendens by the cephalic region, which is wider than long. Male distinguished from Seothyra by the subequal legs I and II (Fig. 26A; leg I enlarged in Seothyra, Figs 72A, 74A) and by the form of the conductor, which is a simple spiral or L-shaped hook shorter than the tegulum (Fig. 27A–C,
Dorceus was revised by
Past morphological studies have placed Dorceus and Seothyra as close relatives (Fig. 8A;
Known from sand dunes in deserts with very sparse shrub, grass, and annual herb patches. Juveniles feed on their mother’s corpse before dispersing (
http://species-id.net/wiki/Dorceus_fastuosus
Figs 8E–H, 12D–F, 16B, E, 26 –32Male (Mashabin Sand Dunes, Israel, MR006, HUJ): Carapace with few white setae; cephalic region subrectangular, wider than long, strongly raised, with silvery patches around some eyes; AME slightly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.95), median eyes adjacent on horizontal axis, slightly overlapping on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent; PER as wide as AER (PER/AER 0.99), PLE position on carapace 0.45; clypeal hood forms a nearly 90° angle; fovea moderately deep (Figs 8E, F, 26A–D, 28A). Chelicerae slightly excavated mesally, with lateral boss (Figs 26C, 28B). Legs with bands of white setae; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV, one subdistal ventral macroseta on tibia IV, and scattered ventral macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus I–IV, strongest and most numerous on metatarsus and tarsus IV. Abdomen gray, white dorsally with large dark heart mark (Fig. 26A).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum bulbous; conductor and embolus together form apical complex making one helical turn (Fig. 27C, E); conductor tapers to point; tegular division longer than embolic division; cymbium with several prolateral macrosetae (Figs 12D–F, 26I, J, 27A–E).
Female (Mashabim Reserve, Israel, MR): Carapace with scattered white setae; cephalic region subrectangular, wider than long, strongly raised (Fig. 26H); AME slightly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.83), median eyes slightly overlapping on horizontal axis, separated on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent; PER as wide as AER (PER/AER 0.97), PLE position on carapace 0.47; clypeal hood forms a nearly 90° angle; fovea moderately deep (Figs 8G, H, 26E–H, 29A, B). Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss (Fig. 26G). Legs with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus III–IV and numerous macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus III–IV. Abdomen without conspicuous white setae (Fig. 26E, H).
Epigynum with curved, converging slit-like atria occupying ca. the posterior half, anterior-lateral margin a curved ridge with median septum leading to subtrapezoidal median lobe (Figs 16B, 29C). Vulva with spermathecal heads set anterior-mesally on sinuous stalks leading to multilobed spermathecae that diverge posteriorly (Figs 16E, 29D–F).
A–J Dorceus fastuosus. A–D, I–J male from Mashabin Sand Dunes, Israel (MR006, HUJ) E–H female from Mashabim sand dunes, Israel (MR002, MR) A–D habitus of male, photomicrographs E–H habitus of female, photomicrographs J, K illustrations of left male palp. A, E dorsal view B, F ventral view C, G anterior view D, H lateral view. I prolateral view. J retrolateral view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Dorceus fastuosus from Mashabin Sand Dunes, Israel (MR006, HUJ), scanning electron micrographs of left male palp. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C detail of embolic division, prolateral view D ventral view E detail of embolic division, ventral view F palpal tibia, dorsal view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–D Dorceus fastuosus, male from Mashabin sand dunes, Israel (MR006, HUJ), scanning electron micrographs. A prosoma, anterior view B left chelicerae, lateral view C chelicerae, anterior distal view showing fangs and teeth D epiandrous region.
A–F Dorceus fastuosus, female from Mashabim sand dunes, Israel (MR002, MR), scanning electron micrographs. A median eye group B prosoma, dorsal C epigynum, ventral view D cleared vulva, dorsal view E detail, left spermathecal head F detail, right spermatheca. ML median lobe S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
A–F Dorceus fastuosus, female from Mashabim sand dunes, Israel (MR002, MR), scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets. A left ALS B left PMS C detail of left PMS D left PLS E aciniform field on left PLS F modified spigot and flanking aciniform gland spigot on left PLS. Unlabeled spigots in B and C thought to be a mixture of aciniform gland spigots and cylindrical gland spigots. AC aciniform gland spigot MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot.
A–F Dorceus fastuosus, female from Mashabim sand dunes, Israel (MR002, MR), scanning electron micrographs. A detail of spigots on left ALS B cribellum C detail cribellar spigots D trichobothrium, left tibia IV E calamistrum, left metatarsus IV F detail, calamistrum seta, left metatarsus IV. MAP major ampullate gland spigot PI piriform gland spigot.
A–F Dorceus fastuosus, male from Mashabin Sand Dunes, Israel (MR006, HUJ), scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets. A overview B left ALS C left PMS D left PLS E vestigial cribellum F modified spigot and flanking aciniform spigot on left PLS. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret.
(Mashabim sand dunes, Israel, MR002, MR and MR006, HUJ). Female ALS with at least 3 MAP near inner edge of spinning field of more the 50 PI (Figs 30A, 31A); male with about 25 PI spigots, 1 possible MAP visible (Fig. 32B). Female PMS with 1 anterior mAP and 20 spigots of various sizes posterior to this (Fig. 30B, C); male with 1 mAP and only 7 AC spigots (Fig. 32C), suggesting that female may have AC and CY spigots. Female PLS with anterior-basal MS and 1 accompanying AC, distal field of about 40 AC (Fig. 30D–F); male same except with only 12 AC (Fig. 32D). Male cribellar plate with no sign of spigots (Fig. 32E); epiandrous gland spigots present (Fig. 28D).
http://species-id.net/wiki/Dresserus
Dresserus contains 24 recognized species from eastern and southern Africa (
Distinguished from other eresids except Gandanameno by the position of the PLE which are both advanced (< 0.28) and widely spaced (PER/AER > 0.95; Fig. 8J); other eresids with advanced PLE (e.g., Stegodyphus, some Paradonea) have them closer together (PER/AER < 0.90) than the ALE (Figs 10B, 11B, D, F, H, J, L). Generally distinguished from other eresids by the distinctive 4-part cribellum (Fig. 36F), although some Gandanameno specimens show signs of this characteristic. Males distinguished from other eresids by the prominent tubercles bearing the ALE (Figs 8J, 33A), which are much more pronounced from those in other genera with ALE tubercles (e.g., Stegodyphus, some Paradonea). Further distinguished from other eresids except Gandanameno by the more or less ventral-dorsal axis of the palpal bulb with the embolus encircling the ventral part (Figs 12G–I, 33I–K, 34A–D; proximal-ventral in other eresids with the embolus encircling the distal part); distinguished from Gandanameno by the smooth conductor (Fig. 34C, D; fringed in Gandanameno, Fig. 55C, E). The cephalic region may be wider than long (e.g., TM 19738, TMSA, Frontier Tanzania, ZMUC) or longer than wide (e.g., TM 19739, TMSA). Female further distinguished from other eresids except Gandanameno and Eresus walckenaeri by the copulatory openings, which are broadly separated by hirsute cuticle (Figs 16C, 37D; separated by a glabrous median lobe in other eresids, e.g., Figs 16B, 29C); Gandanameno and Dresserus together distinguished from other eresids including Eresus walckenaeri by the vulva, which have the spermatheca extending anterior of the spermathecal heads, together subtended by helical copulatory ducts (Figs 16F, 37E; other eresids have the spermathecal head anterior, spermatheca posterior, and copulatory ducts other than helical), and by the subdivided PMS (entire in other eresids) with numerous short, conical, cylindrical(?) gland spigots (Fig. 36C, D; this spigot morphology absent in other eresids); distinguished from Gandanameno by the somewhat less prominent paired atria and possibly by having a single loop of the copulatory duct (Fig. 37E; three in Gandanameno, although this character has been investigated in few Dresserus species).
Thetaxonomic literature on Dresserus is fragmentary and rarely comparative. This genus is ripe for revision. We have been unable to confidently assign species names to the specimens used in this study. Lehtinen (1967: 231) indicated that he was working on a taxonomic revision, but none was ever published. According to him, all but one of the described species (including the type species) had been checked and verified as congeneric based on primary types and other material.
Known from Savanna, stony semidesert, and forest habitats. They build a silken tube under stones. Prey is mainly beetles (Milan Řezáč, personal observation). Clutches consist of tens of juveniles (Martin Forman, personal observation of Dresserus kannemeyeri). Juveniles do not feed on their mother’s corpse. Mature females can live for several years in captivity and can produce a number of sequential clutches (Martin Forman, personal observation of Dresserus kannemeyeri).
Male (Manga Forest Reserve, Tanzania, ZMUC): Carapace with few white setae, mostly in thoracic region; cephalic region subrectangular, wider than long, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.71), median eyes overlapping on horizontal axis, separated on vertical axis; ALE placed on pointed apophyses, PER slightly wider than AER (PER/AER 1.04), PLE position on carapace 0.27, clypeal hood forms obtuse angle, fovea deep. Chelicerae slightly excavated mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with white setae, with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus II–IV. Abdomen dark gray, nearly encircled by a band of white setae (Figs 8I, J, 33A–D).
Male palp with dorsal-ventral axis; tegulum disc-shaped; conductor arises on broad membranous stalk from center of tegulum, with arching distal and proximal arms covering much of mesal portion of palpal bulb, distal arm larger than proximal, fringe absent (Fig. 34D); embolus makes slightly more than one loop, long and flexible, fits into groove originating on prolateral arm of conductor; cymbium without distinct macrosetae (Figs 12G–I, 33I–K, 34A–D).
Female (Mazumbai, Tanzania, CASENT 9025747, CAS): Carapace without conspicuous white setae; cephalic region subrectangular, about as wide as long, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.41), median eyes overlapping on horizontal axis, separated on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent; PER as wide as AER (PER/AER 1.04), PLE position on carapace 0.27; clypeal hood forms obtuse angle, fovea deep. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss (Fig. 35E, F). Legs with white setae, with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus II–IV. Abdomen without conspicuous white setae (Figs 8K, L, 33E–H).
Epigynum with pair of longer-than-wide atria on posterior margin separated by hirsute cuticle (Figs 16C, 37D). Vulva with copulatory ducts making one loop leading to anterior complex of spermatheca and spermathecal head. Fertilization duct runs posteriorly through the copulatory duct loop (Figs 16F, 37E).
A–K Dresserus sp. A–D male from Manga Forest Reserve, Tanzania (ZMUC), image D reversed E–H female from Mazumbai, Tanzania (CASENT 9025747, CAS) I–K male from Mazumbai, Tanzania (CASENT 9025746, CAS) A–D habitus of male, photomicrographs E–H habitus of female, photomicrographs I–K illustrations of left male palp A, E dorsal view B, F ventral view C, G anterior view D, H lateral view I prolateral view J ventral view K retrolateral view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Dresserus sp. A–E male from Mazumbai, Tanzania (CASENT 9025746, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of right palp, images reversed to appear as left palp F female from Klein Kariba, South Africa (CASENT 9025745, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of left chelicera A prolateral view B retrolateral view C ventral view D apical view E palpal tibia, dorsal view F distal part of chelicerae showing fang and teeth. C conductor E embolus T tegulum.
A–F Dresserus sp., female from Klein Kariba, South Africa (CASENT 9025745, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of prosoma. A anterior view, chelicerae removed, arrow indicates clypeal hood B dorsal view of eye region C fovea D sternum E right chelicera, ectal view F right cheliceral boss.
A–F Dresserus sp., female from Mazumbai, Tanzania (CASENT 9025747, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets. A overview B left ALS C right PMS D detail, cylindrical gland spigots on right PMS E left PLS F cribellum. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret CR cribellum CY cylindrical gland spigot MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret.
A–F Dresserus sp., scanning electron micrographs. A, C female from Mazumbai, Tanzania (CASENT 9025747, CAS) D, F female from Klein Kariba, South Africa (CASENT 9025745, CAS) A detail of spigots on right ALS B detail of spigots on anterior part of PMS C detail of spigots on anterior part of right PMS D epigynum, ventral view E vulva, dorsal view F detail of pores on right spermathecal head. AC aciniform gland spigot CD copulatory duct CY cylindrical gland spigot FD fertilization duct MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot PI piriform gland spigot S spermatheca SH spermathecal head t tartipore.
A–F Dresserus sp., female from Klein Kariba, South Africa (CASENT 9025745, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of legs A tarsal organ, left leg I B trichobothrium, left leg I C tarsal claw, left leg I setae removed D left metatarsus IV, retrolateral view, showing calamistrum E detail of calimistrum F detail of teeth on calimistrum setae.
A–F Dresserus sp., male from Mazumbai, Tanzania (CASENT 9025747, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets and epiandrous region. A overview of spinnerets B right ALS C PMS D left PLS E modified spigot on right PLS F epiandrous region. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot n nubbin PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret t tartipore.
(Mazumbai, Tanzania, CASENT 9025746, CAS and CASENT 9025747, CAS). Female ALS with at least 4 MAP within and 4–6 along inner edge of spinning field of more than 40 PI (Figs 36B, 37A); male with 4 MAP within and 3–5 along inner edge of spinning field of about 35 PI spigots (Fig. 39B). Female PMS longitudinally elongate, transversely bilobed, with 2 anterior mAP, between these 2–3 AC, posterior to this on anterior and posterior lobes a dense field of more than 105 short, squat, conical CY spigots (Figs 36C, D, 37B, C); male PMS small, oval, with 2 anterior mAP and 3 AC (Fig. 39C). Female PLS with anterobasal MS without accompanying spigot and distal field of 9 AC (Fig. 36E); male same (Fig. 39D, E). Male cribellar plate with no sign of spigots; epiandrous gland spigots present (Fig. 39F).
http://species-id.net/wiki/Eresus
Eresus contains 23 recognized species group names (including 6 subspecies) from the Mediterranean and temperate latitudes of Europe and Asia. We examined specimens of several species representing the two major morphological groups within the genus. Our first exemplar, Eresus walckenaeri, is a cohesive species, based on both morphological and molecular data (
We found no characters that clearly and simultaneously separate Eresus females from other eresid genera, despite support from molecular data for a monophyletic Eresus (
Male Eresus are usually recognized by their distinctive dorsal abdominal pattern, which features two pairs of large round dark patches surrounding the first and second sigilla on a field of red setae, sometimes with a pair of smaller dark patches surrounding the third sigilla (Figs 2B, D, 40A, 43A); if with a black abdomen, then recognized by the distinctive notch on the embolic conductor (cf. Fig. 43J; note that black-abdomened form known as Eresus tristis Kroneberg, 1875 is currently cataloged as a synonym of Eresus kollari, but this is not accepted by all workers, e.g.,
Male of Eresus walckenaeri distinguished from those of the Eresus sandaliatus group by the ribbon-like conductor with a blunt, rounded tip (Fig. 41C, D; notched in Eresus sandaliatus group, Fig. 44D, E) and the 1.5 helical turns of the embolus (ca. 1 helical turn in Eresus sandaliatus group). Various species within the Eresus sandaliatus group distinguished primarily by coloration and details of the conductor shape and vulva (Fig. 16H, I, K, L; see also
Known from various non-forest warm and dry habitats. Some species build a simple vertical burrow lined with silk. The opening is covered by silken sheet camouflaged from above by debris. Signaling threads radiate out from the edges of this roof. Some species (e.g., Eresus walckenaeri, Eresus crassitibialis Wunderlich) do not dig burrows; their silken tubes lie just under stones or on (Milan Řezáč, personal observation).
http://species-id.net/wiki/Eresus_walckenaeri
Figs 2C–E, 4C, 12J–L, 16G, J, 40 –42Male (Prague, Czechia, MR007, MR): Carapace with scattered white setae; cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.63), median eyes adjacent on horizontal axis, slightly overlapping on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent; PER slightly narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.89), PLE position on carapace 0.33; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with clusters of white setae; with single distal ventral macroseta on metatarsus I, row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus II–IV, scattered ventral macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus II–IV, strongest and most numerous on metatarsus and tarsus IV, and retrolateral macroseta on metatarsus IV. Abdomen red dorsally with large dark patches surrounding anterior two pairs of sigilla (Figs 2D, 40A–D).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum subtrapezoidal; conductor and embolus together form apical complex making 1.5 helical turns; conductor ribbon-like with blunt, rounded tip; tegular division longer than embolic division (Figs 12J–L, 40I, J, 41A–D, F); cymbium with several prolateral macrosetae (Fig. 41E).
Female (Srbsko, Czechia, MR016, MR): Carapace with few scattered white setae; cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.63), median eyes separated on horizontal axis, adjacent on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent; PER slightly narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.87), PLE position on carapace 0.34; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs without conspicuous white setae; legs with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV plus additional ventral macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus I–IV. Abdomen without conspicuous white setae (Fig. 40E–H; see Fig. 2C for color of live animal).
Epigynum with pair of wide atria on posterior margin separated by hirsute cuticle (Figs 16G, 42B). Vulva with spermathecal heads on long sinuous stalks gradually transitioning to sinuous multilobed spermathecae (Figs 16J, 42D–F).
A–J Eresus walckenaeri. A–D, I–J male from Kresna, Bulgaria (MR) E–H female from 5 km south of Monemvasia, Lakonia, Greece (ZMUC 00012903, ZMUC) A–D habitus of male, photomicrographs E–H habitus of female, photomicrographs I, J illustrations of left male palp A, E dorsal view B, F ventral view C, G anterior view D, H lateral view I prolateral view J retrolateral view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Eresus walckenaeri from Kresna, Bulgaria (MR), scanning electron micrographs of right male palp, images reversed to appear as left palp. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C detail of embolic division, prolateral view D detail of embolic division, retrolateral view E apex of cymbium, ventral view F detail of embolic division, apical view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Eresus walckenaeri female from 5 km south of Monemvasia, Lakonia, Greece (ZMUC 00012903), scanning electron micrographs. A prosoma, anterior view B epigynum C tarsal organ, left leg I. ventral view D vulva, dorsal view E left spermatheca F left spermathecal head. S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
http://species-id.net/wiki/Eresus_kollari
Figs 2A, B, 9A–D, 13A–C, 16H, K, 43, 44, 45E, F, 46Male (Prague, Czechia, MR007, MR): Carapace with scattered white setae; cephalic region subrectangular with broadly rounded posterior margin, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.63), median eyes slightly separated on horizontal axis, slightly overlapping on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent, PER slightly narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.89), PLE position on carapace 0.39; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea moderately deep. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with bands of white setae; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV plus additional ventral macrosetae on tibia, metatarsus and tarsus I–IV. Abdomen red dorsally with large dark patches surrounding anterior two pairs of sigilla (Figs 2B, 9A, B, 43A–D).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum bulbous; conductor and embolus together form apical complex making one helical turn; conductor ribbon-like, tip broadly rounded with a notch (Figs 13A–C, 43I, J, 44A–F;
Female (Srbsko, Czechia, MR016, MR): Carapace with scattered white setae; cephalic region subrectangular with broadly rounded posterior margin, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.63), median eyes slightly overlapping on horizontal and vertical axes; ALE tubercles absent; PER slightly narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.89), PLE position on carapace 0.39; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with scattered white setae, with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV plus additional ventral macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus III–IV. Abdomen without conspicuous white setae (Figs 2A, 9C, D, 43E–H).
Epigynum with slit-like atria occupying nearly the total length, anteriomedian part with notch-shaped invagination, anteriolateral margin a curved ridge (Figs 16H, 45A;
A–J Eresus kollari. A–D, I, J male from Prague, Czechia (MR007, MR) E–H female from res. Srbsko, Czechia (MR016, MR) A–D habitus of male, photomicrographs E–H habitus of female, photomicrographs I, J illustrations of left male palp A, E dorsal view B, F ventral view C, G anterior view D, H lateral view I prolateral view J retrolateral view, arrow indicates notch in conductor. C conductor E embolus T tegulum.
A–F Eresus kollari from Remete Mountain, Hungary (CASENT 9037134, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of left male palp. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C ventral view D palpal bulb, retrolateral view E palpal bulb, retrodorsal view F apical view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Eresus spp., scanning electron micrographs. A–D Eresus sandaliatus female from SE of Silkeborg, Denmark (CASENT 9039243, CAS) E Eresus kollari female from Srbsko, Czechia (MR016, MR) F Eresus kollari male from Prague, Czechia (MR007, MR) A epigynum, ventral view B vulva, dorsal view C left spermathecal head D detail, left spermatheca E trichobothria, left tibia I F epiandrous region. ML median lobe S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
A–F Eresus kollari from Srbsko, Czechia (MR016, MR), scanning electron micrographs of female. A prosoma, anterior view B left cheliceral boss C detail of carapace texture D tarsal organ, left leg I E calamistrum, left metatarsus IV F detail, calamistrum seta, left metatarsus IV.
Spinneret spigot morphology (based on Eresus cf. cinnaberinus from Greece and Morocco in Griswold et al., 2005: figs 31A–D, 32A–D, 33A–F): Female ALS with at least 13 MAP within and on inner edge of spinning field of more than 120 PI; male with at 5 MAP and spinning field of more than 40 PI. Female PMS with anterior mAP spigots, with posterior field of more 40 small spigots of varying size and shape; male PMS with 4 mAP and 6 AC, suggesting the female may have AC and CY spigots. Female PLS with anterobasal MS with 2 accompanying spigots and distal field of about 55 AC; male MS MS with 2 accompanying spigot nubbins, with 9 AC. Male cribellar plate with no sign of spigots; numerous epiandrous gland spigots present.
http://species-id.net/wiki/Gandanameno
Gandanameno contains five recognized species from eastern and southern Africa. We examined the collection holdings of several museums and most primary type specimens. The oldest available name, Eresus fumosus C. L. Koch, 1837, apparently lacks any type specimen (
Distinguished from other eresids except Dresserus by the position of the PLE which are both advanced (< 0.28) and widely spaced (PER/AER > 0.95; Fig. 9F, H); other eresids with advanced PLE (e.g., Stegodyphus, some Paradonea) have them closer together (PER/AER < 0.90) than the ALE (e.g., Figs 10B, 11F). Male further distinguished from other eresids except Dresserus by the more or less ventral-dorsal axis of the palpal bulb with the embolus encircling the ventral part (Figs 13D, E, 48A–C; proximal-ventral in other eresids with the embolus encircling the distal part, e.g., Fig. 20A–F) and conductor arising from the center of the tegulum with opposing projections covering much of the palpal bulb (Fig. 55C); distinguished from Dresserus by the lack of prominent tubercles bearing the ALE (Fig. 9F; compare with Fig. 8J) and the fringed conductor (Fig. 55C, E; smooth in Dresserus, Fig. 34D). Female further distinguished from other eresids except Dresserus and Eresus walckenaeri by the copulatory openings, which are broadly separated by hirsute cuticle (Figs 17A–C, 59A; separated by a glabrous median lobe in other eresids, e.g., Figs 16B, 29C); Gandanameno and Dresserus together distinguished from other eresids including Eresus walckenaeri by the vulva, which have the spermatheca extending anterior of the spermathecal heads, together subtended by helical copulatory ducts (Figs 17D–F, 59C; other eresids have the spermathecal head anterior, spermatheca posterior, and copulatory ducts other than helical, e.g., Fig. 29D), and by the subdivided PMS (Fig. 57C; entire in other eresids) with numerous short, conical, cylindrical gland spigots (Fig. 58E; cylindrical gland spigots absent or difficult to distinguish from aciniform gland spigots in other eresids); distinguished from Dresserus by the somewhat more prominent paired atria (Figs 17A–C, 59A; compare with Figs 16C, 37D) and possibly by having three loops of the copulatory duct (Figs 17D–F, 59C; fewer in Dresserus, although this character has been investigated in few Dresserus species, Figs 16F, 37E). Both sexes usually distinguished from Dresserus by the two part cribellum (Figs 57E, 60E, compare with Fig. 36F), although signs of the distinctive 4-part cribellum are sometimes apparent in Gandanameno.
Gandanameno are variable in several conspicuous characteristics. In the male, these include the presence or absence of a cheliceral boss (Fig. 56C–F), palp size, details of the conductor shape, and the curvature and position of the tegular sperm duct (Figs 48B, D–F, S2A–J). In the female, these include the height of the cephalic region, and the presence of cuspules of various weights on the carapace, sternum, and basal segments of legs I, II, and sometimes III (Figs 50, 52A–F, 53A–F, 54A–F), also details of the epigynum shape (Figs 17A–C, S2K, L, S3A–F, H–L). It has been noted previously that multiple forms may occur sympatrically and that intermediate combinations make species determination problematic (
We looked for patterns of variation in adult female morphology. Adult female specimens are much more abundant in collections than males. We defined eight geographic regions based on two criteria: 1) concentration of specimens available to us and/or 2) type localities of Gandanameno species (Figs 49, 50). We assessed a series of characters: carapace length, carapace width, presence and strength of cuspules on the ventral surface of femur I and II, prosoma, and sternum for all specimens available from these regions. When cuspules are present on the prosoma, they always occur on the femurs, but the reverse is not always true. So the set of specimens with cuspules on the femurs is larger than and contains the set of specimens with cuspules on the prosoma. There appears to be a general trend towards greater spinulation and a higher carapace with increasing size (carapace length), but the spinulation data are fairly noisy (Fig. 50). No morphological pattern emerged to segregate specimens by region. Not all degrees of spinulation were observed in every geographic region.
Based on the combination of genetic, morphometric, and spinulation data, we see no evidence that the characters traditionally used to discriminate Gandanameno species are valid. We speculate that ontogenetic factors are responsible for the morphological variation in this genus (perhaps juvenile nutrition or post adult molting). However, we judge that the synonymy of all Gandanameno species is premature, particularly in light of the phylogeographic signal suggested by the molecular data and the limited availability of specimens from beyond the Republic of South Africa. We therefore identify our specimens simply as Gandanameno sp. We encourage additional investigations that might further elucidate the systematics of Gandanameno.
Associated with crevices in or under rocks or tree bark in savanna, parks, and gardens. They build a silken tube with a widened entrance; the tube of an adult female under bark can be up to 1 m long (Martin Forman, personal observation). Also found under tree bark well above the ground in dense aggregations (Nikolaj Scharff, Jeremy Miller, Iringa, Tanzania). Prey remnants are placed at the bottom of the tube. Clutches consist of tens of juveniles (Martin Forman, personal observation). Juveniles do not feed on their mother’s corpse and adult females can produce a number of sequential clutches. Males mature in less than one year, females take longer (Martin Forman, personal observation).
Male (Harare, Zimbabwe, AcAT 2005/123, NCA): Male carapace with scattered white setae, cephalic region subrectangular, about as long as wide, slightly raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.63), median eyes slightly overlapping on horizontal and vertical axes; ALE tubercles absent, PER nearly as wide as AER (PER/AER 0.95), PLE position on carapace 0.23; clypeal hood forms obtuse angle; fovea deep. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, without lateral boss (Fig. 56B–D; note that all other males examined have a cheliceral boss, Fig. 56E, F). Legs without conspicuous white setae; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV. Abdomen dark without conspicuous white setae (Figs 9E, F, 47A–D).
Male palp with dorsal-ventral axis; tegulum disc-shaped; conductor arises on stalk from center of tegulum, with arching prolateral and retrolateral arms covering much of anterior portion of palpal bulb, retrolateral arm with fringed posterior margin; embolus makes ca. three loops, long and flexible, fits into groove originating on prolateral arm of conductor; cymbium without distinct macrosetae (Figs 13D–F, 48A–F, 55A–E, S2A–J).
Female (Iringa, Tanzania, ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC): Female carapace without conspicuous white setae; cephalic region subrectangular, longer than wide, slightly raised, AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.58), median eyes slightly overlapping on horizontal axis, adjacent on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent, PER as wide as AER (PER/AER 1.03), PLE position on carapace 0.20; clypeal hood forms obtuse angle; fovea deep. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs without conspicuous white setae; legs with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus III–IV. Abdomen without conspicuous white setae (Figs 4E, F, 9G, H, 47E–P).
Epigynum bell-shaped, with pair of semicircular atria on posterior margin separated by hirsute cuticle (Figs 17A–C, 59A, B, S2K, L, S3A–F, H–L). Vulva with copulatory ducts making three loops leading to anterior complex of spermatheca and spermathecal head. Fertilization duct runs posteriorly through the copulatory duct loops (Figs 17D–F, 59C–F, S3G).
(Iringa, Tanzania, ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC; Hanover, South Africa, SAM-ENW-B006896/9958, SAM and SAM 9465, SAM): Female ALS with at least 7–8 MAP within and along inner edge of spinning field of 50–80 PI (Fig. 57B); male with 1 MAP within and 3 along inner edge of spinning field of about 40 PI spigots (Figs 60B, 61A). Female PMS longitudinally elongate, transversely bilobed, with 2–3 anterior mAP, between these 2–3 AC, posterior to this on anterior and posterior lobes a dense field of more than 40 (SAM-ENW-B006896/9958) to 55 (ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC) short, squat, conical CY spigots (Figs 57C, 58E, F); male PMS small, oval, with 2 mAP and 4 AC (Figs 60C, 61D). Female PLS with anterobasal MS without accompanying spigot and distal field of 9–15 AC (Figs 57D, 58C); male same (Figs 60D, 61B, C). Male cribellar plate with no sign of spigots (Fig. 60E, F); epiandrous gland spigots present (Fig. 61E, F). Cribellar plate divided medially, although some hint of subdivision into four fields of spigots (as in Dresserus) is evident (Fig. 57E).
A–P Gandanameno sp., habitus, photomicrographs. A–D male from Harare, Zimbabwe (AcAT 2005/123, NCA), images reversed E–H female from Hanover, South Africa (SAM-ENW-B006896/9958, SAM) I–L female from Iringa, Tanzania (ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC) M–P female from Eierfontein, South Africa (SAM-12823, SAM) A, E, I, M dorsal view B, F, J, N ventral view C, G, K, O anterior view D, H, L, P lateral view.
A–F Gandanameno sp., illustrations of left male palp. A–C from Naauwpoort, North West Province, South Africa (SAM 1600, SAM) D from Van Riebeeck Park, Western Cape, South Africa (CASENT 9023763, CAS) E from Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa (SAM 12571, SAM) F from Hanover, South Africa (SAM 9465, SAM) A obliquely retrolateral view B, D–F ventral view C obliquely prolateral view. All images at the same scale. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
Distribution of Gandanameno. Type localities are numbered circles, males are squares (if with letters, these refer to illustrations in Fig. 48), non-type females are filled circles. Type localities: circle 2 Eresus bubo L. Koch, 1865; circle 3 Eresus inornatus Pocock, 1898; circle 4 Eresus spenceri Pocock, 1900; circle 5 Eresus echinatus Purcell, 1908; circle 6 Eresus namaquensis Purcell, 1908; circle 7 Eresus depressus Tucker, 1920; circle 8 Eresus purcelli Tucker, 1920; type locality of Eresus fumosus C. L. Koch, 1837 is reported simply as “Afrika" and no type specimen is known (
Carapace height plotted against carapace length for adult female Gandanameno specimens from eight regions: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Gauteng, Hanover, Namaqualand, Namibia, and Port Elizabeth. Regions circumscribed in Fig. 49; sample size given in parentheses. Symbol shape indicates region while symbol darkness indicates presence and strength of cuspules. Specimens were scored as having cuspules absent, having medium to strong cuspules only on the legs, having a mixture of medium and strong cuspules on the prosoma, sternum, and/or legs, and having exclusively strong cuspules on the prosoma, sternum, and legs. As reflected in the legend, not all degrees of spinulation were observed in all regions.
Bayesian phylogenetic tree of the spider family Eresidae based on mixed model analysis (eight data partitions, manually adjusted alignment; see
A–F Gandanameno sp., femur, left leg I of female, retrolateral view, scanning electron micrographs. A, C, E overview B, D, F detail of setae A, B from Iringa, Tanzania (ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC) C, D from Hanover, South Africa (SAM-ENW-B006896/9958, SAM) E, F from Eierfontein, Eastern Cape, South Africa (SAM-12823, SAM).
A–F Gandanameno sp., prosoma and coxae of female, scanning electron micrographs. A, C, E detail of setae on prosoma B, F right coxae I and II D left coxae I and II, image reversed to appear as right coxae A, B from Iringa, Tanzania (ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC) C, D from Hanover, South Africa (SAM-ENW-B006896/9958, SAM) E, F from Eierfontein, Eastern Cape, South Africa (SAM-12823, SAM).
A–F Gandanameno sp., sternum of female, scanning electron micrographs A, C, E overview of sternum B, D, F detail of setae on sternum A, B from Iringa, Tanzania (ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC) C, D from Hanover, South Africa (SAM-ENW-B006896/9958, SAM) E, F from Eierfontein, South Africa (SAM-12823, SAM).
A–F Gandanameno sp. from Harare, Zimbabwe (AcAT 2005/123, NCA), scanning electron micrographs, right male palp, images reversed to appear as left palp. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C ventral view D apical view E detail of distal tip of conductor F palpal tibia, dorsal view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Gandanameno sp., scanning electron micrographs of prosoma and chelicerae. A–D male from Harare, Zimbabwe (AcAT 2005/123, NCA) E, F male from Hanover, South Africa (SAM 9465, SAM) A prosoma, anterior view, arrow indicates clypeal hood B prosoma, lateral view C, E left chelicerae, lateral view, arrow in E indicates cheliceral boss D detail of left chelicerae showing absence of cheliceral boss F detail of left chelicerae showing cheliceral boss.
A–F Gandanameno sp. from Iringa, Tanzania (ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC), scanning electron micrographs of female spinnerets. A overview B right ALS C right PMS D left PLS E cribellum F cribellar spigots. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret CR cribellum CY cylindrical gland spigot MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot n nubbin PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret t tartipore.
A–F Gandanameno sp., scanning electron micrographs. A–E female from Iringa, Tanzania (ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC) F female from Hanover, South Africa (SAM-ENW-B006896/9958) A, B prosoma C–F details of spinneret spigots A anterior view, arrow indicates clypeal hood B left cheliceral boss C detail of modified spigots on right female PLS D detail of spigots on anterior part of right female PMS E detail of cylindrical gland spigots on posterior part of left female PMS F right PMS. AC aciniform gland spigot CY cylindrical gland spigot MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot n nubbin PI piriform gland spigot t tartipore.
A–F Scanning electron micrographs of epigynum and vulva of Gandanameno sp. A, B from Iringa, Tanzania (ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC) C–F from Kommetjie, Cape Town, South Africa (CASENT 9039241, CAS) A epigynum, ventral view B detail of right copulatory opening, ventral view C cleared vulva, dorsal view D detail of right spermatheca and spermathecal head E detail, right spermatheca F detail, right spermathecal head. CD copulatory duct FD fertilization duct S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
A–F Gandanameno sp. from Hanover, South Africa (SAM 9465, SAM), scanning electron micrographs of male spinnerets. A overview B left ALS C right PMS D left PLS E vestigial cribellum F detail of vestigial cribellum. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret n nubbin t tartipore.
A–F Gandanameno sp. from Hanover, South Africa (SAM 9465, SAM), scanning electron micrographs of male spinnerets. A detail of spigots on left ALS B left PLS C detail of spigots on left PLS D detail of spigots on left PMS E epiandrous region F detail of epiandrous gland spigots. AC aciniform gland spigot MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot.
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Eresus annulipes Lucas, 1857.
Loureedia gen. n. is monotypic, containing only the type species. Two species are here synonymized with Loureedia annulipes: Eresus semicanus Simon, 1908 and Eresus jerbae El-Hennawy, 2005. We examined specimens of Loureedia annulipes from Israel and type material from the Eugene Simon collection at the MNHN.
Named for Lou Reed, leader of the rock band The Velvet Underground from 1965–1970; the gender is feminine.
Distinguished from other eresid genera except Dorceus, some Dresserus, and Paradonea splendens by the cephalic region, which is wider than long (Fig. 9J, L); distinguished from Dorceus by the median eye group, which have the PME clearly larger than the AME (AME/PME ca. 0.5; Fig. 9I, K); median eyes small with the PME only slightly larger than the AME in Dorceus (Fig. 8E), AME/PME > 0.8; Figs 8E, G, 28A, 29A); distinguished from Dresserus by the lack of prominent tubercles bearing the ALE and the palpal conformation, which has a proximal-ventral axis with the helical embolus encircling the distal part (Fig. 63B; obliquely ventral-dorsal in Dresserus with the embolus encircling the ventral part, Figs 33I–K, 34A–D); distinguished from Paradonea splendens by the subrectangular shape of the cephalic region, which does not overhang the thoracic region posteriorly (Figs 9J, 62A, D; subtrapezoidal, slightly overhanging the thoracic region in Paradonea splendens, Fig. 68D). Male further distinguished from other eresids except Stegodyphus dumicola, Stegodyphus tentoriicola, and Paradonea striatipes by the strongly bifid conductor (Fig. 63D, E); separated from these species by several characters including details of the conductor shape, the shape of the cephalic region, the lack of ALE tubercles, and a striking abdominal pattern of white and red patches on a black field (Fig. 1G, H). Female further distinguished by the epigynum with its unique anterior depression and by the compact configuration of the reproductive duct system (Figs 18A, D, 65A, B).
Known from Loess desert habitat with low shrubs, often in wadis. They build a simple vertical or inclined burrow lined by silk. The opening is covered by silken sheet camouflaged from above by debris. Signaling threads radiate out from the edges of this roof. Mating occurs in late autumn. Prey remnants are incorporated into the roof of the burrow. Juveniles feed on their mother’s corpse before dispersing (cf. Fig. 3D). Males take approximately 3 years to mature, females one year longer (Martin Forman, personal observation).
http://species-id.net/wiki/Loureedia_annulipes
Figs 1G, H, 4I, 9I–L, 13G–I, 18A, D, 62 –67Male (Nitzanna village, Israel, MR018, HUJ): Carapace with scattered white setae; cephalic region subrectangular with broadly rounded posterior margin, wider than long, strongly raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.52), median eyes slightly overlapping on horizontal and vertical axes; ALE tubercles absent; PER as wide as AER (PER/AER 1.01), PLE position on carapace 0.42; clypeal hood forms a nearly 90° angle; fovea moderately deep. Chelicerae slightly excavated mesally, with lateral boss. Legs relatively long with bands of white setae; legs with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV, and scattered ventral macrosetae on tibia III–IV and metatarsus and tarsus II–IV, strongest and most numerous on metatarsus and tarsus III–IV. Abdomen dark with pattern of white spots surrounding sigilla and two longitudinal yellow stripes running through sigilla (Figs 1G, H, 9I, J, 62A–D).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum subtrapezoidal; conductor and embolus together form apical complex making one helical turn; conductor membranous at prolateral origin, abruptly transitioning dorsally-retrolaterally to heavily sclerotized bifid structure; tegular division longer than embolic division; cymbium with several long prolateral mesosetae (only slightly thicker than normal setae; Figs 13G–I, 62I, J, 63A–F).
Female (Haluquim, Israel, PET03, MR): Carapace with many white setae; cephalic region subrectangular, wider than long, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.47), median eyes slightly overlapping on horizontal and vertical axes; ALE tubercles absent; PER nearly as wide as AER (PER/AER 0.96), PLE position on carapace 0.38; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea moderately deep. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with scattered white setae; legs with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV plus one subdistal ventral macroseta on metatarsus III and scattered ventral macrosetae on tarsus IV. Abdomen without conspicuous white setae (Figs 9K, L, 62E–H, 64A–C).
Epigynum with slightly bowed slit-like atria occupying ca. the posterior half, anterior part with transverse oblong anterior lobe (Figs 18A, 65A). Vulva with compact, anteriorly converging reproductive duct system with anterior spermathecal head, sinuous duct leading to multilobed spermathecae; with transverse lobe anteriorly (Figs 18D, 65B–E).
Our female preparation is in poor condition but intact; the male preparation is in very poor condition making it impossible to provide accurate counts, especially on the PMS. Female ALS with at least 5 MAP within and on inner edge of spinning field of more than 23 PI (Figs 66B, 67A); male with MAP and PI, but number can’t be determined. Female PMS with 4 anterior mAP spigots and posterior field of 22 spigots of varying size and shape (Figs 66C, 67B, C); male seems to have fewer spigots than female, suggesting the female may have AC and CY spigots. Female PLS with anterobasal MS with two accompanying AC spigots and distal field of at least 19 AC (Figs 66D, 67D); male appears to have MS and flanking AC, with field of more than 8 AC. Male cribellar plate with no sign of spigots; numerous epiandrous gland spigots present (Fig. 65F).
A–J Loureedia annulipes. A, B, D I, J male from Haluqim Ridge, Israel (MR008, HUJ) C male from Nitzanna village, Israel (MR018, HUJ) E, F, H female from Wadi Mashash, Israel (MR019, MR) G female from Haluquim, Israel (PET03, MR) A–D habitus of male, photomicrographs E–H habitus of female, photomicrographs I–J illustrations of left male palp A, E dorsal view B, F ventral view C, G anterior view D, H lateral view I prolateral view J retrolateral view. C conductor E embolus T tegulum.
A–F Loureedia annulipes from Haluqim Ridge, Israel (MR008, HUJ), scanning electron micrographs of right male palp, images reversed to appear as left palp. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C conductor, prolateral view D ventral view E conductor, ventral view F apical view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Loureedia annulipes, scanning electron micrographs of female from from Wadi Mashash, Negev, Israel (MR019, MR), images reversed. A prosoma, anterior view B chelicera C cheliceral boss D sternum, ventral view.
A–F Loureedia annulipes, scanning electron micrographs. A–E vulva of female from Wadi Mashash, Negev, Israel (MR019, MR) F male from Haluqim Ridge, Israel (MR008, HUJ) A epigynum, ventral view B cleared vulva, dorsal view C, D detail, left spermathecal head E detail, right spermatheca. F epiandrous region. AL anterior lobe on atrium ML median lobe S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
A–F Loureedia annulipes, female from Wadi Mashash, Negev, Israel (MR019, MR), scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets. A overview B right ALS C left and right PMS D right PLS E cribellum. F cribellar spigots. Unlabeled spigots in C thought to be a mixture of aciniform gland spigots and cylindrical gland spigots. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret.
A–F Loureedia annulipes, female from Wadi Mashash, Negev, Israel (MR019, MR), scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets. A detail of spigots on right ALS B, C detail of spigots on left PMS D modified spigot and flanking aciniform gland spigots on left PLS E calamistrum, left metatarsus IV F detail, calamistrum seta, left metatarsus IV. Spigots in B thought to be a mixture of aciniform gland spigots and cylindrical gland spigots; unlabeled spigot in C thought to be either an aciniform gland spigot or a cylindrical gland spigot. AC aciniform gland spigot MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot.
http://species-id.net/wiki/Paradonea
Paradonea contains four recognized species from southern Africa (Fig. 71). We examined specimens (including the primary types) of all four described species and propose one new species. Of these five, only one (Paradonea variegata) is known from the female as well as the male. Two species are particularly remarkable in their morphological distinctness: the type species, Paradonea striatipes, is large with distinct markings, an enlarged first leg with tibial brush, relatively small palpi with a distinctly bifid conductor, widely spaced median eyes, and PLE set near the front of the carapace; Paradonea splendens has a strongly raised cephalic region that occupies most of the cephalothorax and slightly overhangs the thoracic region, but the palpal morphology is fairly typical of Eresidae. Despite our skepticism about the monophyly of this group, we are not proposing nomenclatural changes at this time. We hope that this work may help catalyze new activity in this group, including the discovery of females and the collection of fresh specimens for DNA sequencing. Our phylogenetic analysis includes Paradonea variegata, the first Paradonea species to be sequenced and the first time Paradonea has been placed phylogenetically (Figs 51, S1). We do not offer a diagnosis of the genus but distinguish each species independently in the key and species diagnostic sections.
Spinneret spigot morphology was not investigated for any species in the genus.
http://species-id.net/wiki/Paradonea_striatipes
Figs 10A, B, 13J, K, 68A–C, G, H, 71Distinguished from other Eresidae except Gandanameno, some Dresserus, Stegodyphus dumicola, Stegodyphus tentoriicola, and Loureedia annulipes by the bifid conductor (Figs 13J, K, 68G, H); distinguished from Dresserus and Gandanameno by the palpal conformation, which has a proximal-ventral axis with the helical embolus encircling the distal part (obliquely ventral-dorsal in Dresserus and Gandanameno with the embolus encircling the ventral part, Figs 12G–I, 13D–F, 33I–K, 48A–C); distinguished from Stegodyphus dumicola, Stegodyphus tentoriicola, and Loureedia annulipes by the shape of the conductor branches, which strongly diverge in orientation and feature a curved, spine-like dorsal branch and a broad ventral branch with several small sharp processes (Fig. 68H). Distinguished from other eresids except Paradonea parva, Paradonea presleyi sp. n., Seothyra, and some Stegodyphus by the enlarged leg I (Fig. 68A, B), distinguished from Paradonea parva, Paradonea presleyi sp. n., and Seothyra by the presence of a dense brush of setae, especially on the tibia (Fig. 68A, B); distinguished from Paradonea presleyi sp. n. and Stegodyphus by the separation of the median eyes on the vertical axis (Fig. 10A; broadly overlapping in Paradonea presleyi sp. n. and Stegodyphus, Figs 11E, 70I). Paradonea striatipes has the PLE in a more advanced position (ca. 0.25) than most other eresids (Fig. 11B; Dresserus, Gandanameno, and Stegodyphus may also have the PLE around 0.25). The markings, especially the distribution of white setae, are unique (Fig. 68A–C). The palpi are relatively small proportional to body size compared to other eresids (Fig. 68B).
Male (Outjo Namibia, NMBA05700, BMSA): Carapace with broad band of white setae around margin and between AME; cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, strongly raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.33), median eyes widely separated on horizontal axis, adjacent on vertical axis; ALE on distinct tubercles; PER much narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.82), PLE position on carapace 0.25; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae with lateral boss, basal three quarters covered in white setae, contiguous mesally. Legs with bands of white setae, especially dorsally along the length of most segments; leg I somewhat thickened and elongated, tibia I with brush of dark setae; with scattered ventral macrosetae on tibia II–IV and metatarsus and tarsus I–IV. Abdomen black with series of irregular transverse stripes formed by thick patches of white setae (Figs 10A, B, 68A–C).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum moderately elongate, subtrapezoidal; second loop of sperm duct follows complicated path featuring multiple switchbacks; conductor and embolus together form apical complex making 1.5 helical turns; conductor with conspicuous bifid apophysis arising from retrolateral side, consisting of a spine-like dorsal branch curving distally for nearly 180° and a broad, flattened ventral branch with several small sharp processes along the ventral and distal margins; tegular division longer than embolic division; cymbium with a few mesosetae (only slightly thicker than normal setae) over dorsal to prolateral surface (Figs 12J, K, 68G, H).
Female: Unknown.
A–J males of Paradonea striatipes and Paradonea splendens. A–C, G, H Paradonea striatipes, male from Otjivasandu, Namibia (NMN) D–F, I, J Paradonea splendens, male from Sunnyside, South Africa (C1076, SAM) A–F habitus of male, photomicrographs G–J illustrations of left male palp A, D dorsal view B, E ventral view C, F anterior view G, I prolateral view H, J retrolateral view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
http://species-id.net/wiki/Paradonea_splendens
Figs 10C, D, 13L, 14A, 68D–F, I, J, 71Distinguished from other eresids except Dorceus, some Dresserus, and Loureedia gen. n. by the wider than long cephalic region (Figs 10D, 68D), distinguished from these by the subtrapezoidal shape of the cephalic region, much wider anteriorly than posteriorly (Figs 10D, 68D; subrectangular in Dorceus, Dresserus, and Loureedia gen. n. with little difference in width anteriorly to posteriorly, e.g., Figs 8F, 9J); distinguished from other eresids except the male of Adonea by the posterior margin of the cephalic region, which slightly overhangs the thoracic region; distinguished from many eresids including Adonea, Dorceus, Dresserus, and Loureedia gen. n. by the mesally excavated chelicerae (Fig. 68F; contiguous or only slightly excavated in Adonea, Dorceus, Dresserus, and Loureedia gen. n.).
Male (Sunnyside, South Africa, C1076, SAM): Carapace with band of white setae around margin of thoracic region, additional white setae form several patches including one on the posterior part of the cephalic region; cephalic region subtrapezoidal, wider than long anteriorly, posterior margin straight, strongly raised, slightly overhanging thoracic region posteriorly; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.40), median eyes separated on horizontal axis, some overlap on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent; PER narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.86), PLE position on carapace 0.44; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea moderately deep. Chelicerae with lateral boss, excavated mesally. Legs with bands of white setae, especially dorsally along the length of most segments; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV and scattered ventral macrosetae on tibia, metatarsus and tarsus I–IV. Abdomen black with longitudinal stripe with uneven margins formed by a thick concentration of white setae (Figs 10C, D, 68D–F; note description of pattern of setae and color on carapace, legs, and abdomen based in part on specimens other than C1076, which is missing most setae; see Appendix A)
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum bulbous; conductor and embolus together form apical complex making one helical turn; conductor moderately sclerotized, tip a blunt point; tegular division longer than embolic division; cymbium with several macrosetae over dorsal to prolateral surface (Figs 13L, 14A, 68I, J).
Female: Unknown.
http://species-id.net/wiki/Paradonea_variegata
Figs 2G, H, 10E–H, 14B, C, 18B, E, 69, 71Male distinguished from other eresids except Paradonea presleyi sp. n. by the conductor, which bears a helical ridge fringed with distinct papillae (Figs 14B, C, 69G, H); distinguished from Paradonea presleyi sp. n. by the mesally excavated chelicerae (Fig. 69C; contiguous in Paradonea presleyi sp. n., Fig. 70I), the dorsal abdominal pattern (Fig. 69A), the median eye group, which has only slight overlap on the vertical axis (Figs 10E, 69C; significant overlap in Paradonea presleyi sp. n., Fig. 70I), and the relatively more narrow and long shape of the conductor (Fig. 14B, C; compare with Fig. 14J, L). Female distinguished from other eresids except members of the Eresus sandaliatus group by the large, bulbous spermathecal head (Fig. 18E); distinguished from the Eresus sandaliatus group by the larger size difference between the AME and PME (AME/PME ca. 0.5 in Paradonea variegata, Fig. 69F; >0.6 in Eresus sandaliatus group, Fig. 9C) and by the overall lighter color (Fig. 69D; compare with Fig. 43E). Note that interpretation of the female reproductive duct characters for Paradonea variegata is based on light microscopy, not SEM, and must therefore be regarded as tentative.
Male (Breekkierie Dunes, South Africa, C1062, SAM): Carapace with some white setae, especially around margin of thoracic region, cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.52), median eyes adjacent on horizontal axis, some overlap on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent; PER much narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.86), PLE position on carapace 0.31, clypeal hood forms a slightly less than 90° angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae with lateral boss, excavated mesally. Legs with some white setae; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV and scattered ventral macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus I–IV. Dorsal surface of abdomen thickly covered in white setae except for central irregular oblong dark patch (Figs 10E, F, 69A–C).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum bulbous; conductor and embolus together form apical complex running more or less distally; conductor moderately sclerotized with helical ridge fringed with distinct papillae, hooked distally; tegular division longer than embolic division; cymbium with several prolateral macrosetae (Figs 14B, C, 69G, H).
Female (Steinkopf, South Africa, ZMB 26964, ZMHB): Carapace with patches of white setae; cephalic region subtrapezoidal, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.48), median eyes with some overlap on horizontal axis, some overlap on vertical axis; ALE on small tubercles; PER slightly narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.93), PLE position on carapace 0.31; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea moderately deep. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs without conspicuous white setae; legs with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV and numerous ventral macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus II–IV. Abdomen with numerous white setae (Figs 10G, H, 69D–F).
Epigynum with slightly converging slit-like atria copulatory converging slits occupying ca. the posterior half, median lobe subtrapezoidal, nearly as long as wide, deeply recessed within epigynum (Fig. 18B). Vulva with bulbous lobes slightly converging anteriorly (presumably bearing the spermathecal heads) and multilobed spermathecae posteriorly (Fig. 18E).
A–H Paradonea variegata. A–C, G–H male from Breekkierie Dunes, Northern Cape, South Africa (C1062, SAM) D–F female from Steinkopf, South Africa (ZMB 26964, ZMHB) A–C habitus of male, photomicrographs D–F habitus of female photomicrographs G–H illustrations of left male palp A, D dorsal view B, E ventral view C, F anterior view G prolateral view H retrolateral view. C conductor ST subtegulum T tegulum.
Known from savanna and semiarid desert. They build silken tubes under stones or under shrubs. Sometimes, spiders build a round web approximately 10 cm in diameter that may be covered with sand and herbal debris. Juveniles feed on their mother’s corpse before dispersing (cf. Fig. 3D). Adults appear around December, juveniles disperse in October (Martin Forman, personal observation).
http://species-id.net/wiki/Paradonea_parva
Figs 14D–I, 70A–F, 71Distinguished from other eresids except Seothyra and some Stegodyphus by the embolic division, which is much longer than the tegular division (Fig. 14D–I); distinguished from Seothyra by the median eye group, which have the PME clearly larger than the AME (AME/PME ca. 0.5, Fig. 70F; median eyes small and subequal Seothyra, Fig. 10K); distinguished from Stegodyphus by having the PLE position >0.33 (<0.28 in Stegodyphus). By contrast with most other eresids (except Paradonea striatipes, Paradonea presleyi sp. n., Seothyra, and some Stegodyphus), Paradonea parva has a slightly enlarged leg I (Fig. 70D, E).
The holotype specimen is bleached and damaged (Figs 14D–F, 70A–C). The description is based mostly on better preserved, putatively conspecific individuals. However, there are morphological differences including carapace shape (compare Fig. 70C with Fig. 70F) and the shape of the palpal conductor (compare Fig. 14E with Fig. 14H), which could be taken to mean that there is more than one species in this complex. But for now, we attribute these differences to preservation artifacts. The discovery and examination of more fresh specimens would be helpful in resolving this question. For now, we present photographs of both the holotype (Figs 14D–F, 70A–C) and a more well-preserved specimen (Figs 14G–I, 70D–F).
Male (4 km N of Hopetown, South Africa, AcAT 97/988, NCA): Carapace with white setae concentrated in thoracic region and posterior of cephalic region, and forming two longitudinal lines connecting the lateral eyes; cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, slightly raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.45), median eyes slightly overlapping on horizontal and vertical axes; ALE tubercles absent; PER slightly narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.94), PLE position on carapace 0.35; clypeal hood forms a slightly less than 90° angle; fovea indistinct. Chelicerae slightly excavated mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with patches and bands of white setae; leg I slightly thickened; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV, a few scattered ventral macrosetae on tarsus I–IV and metatarsus III–IV; leg I slightly thickened. Abdomen with two longitudinal stripes of white hairs ectal to sigilla (Fig. 70D–F).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum bulbous; conductor and embolus together form apical complex running more or less distally; conductor moderately sclerotized, broad with longitudinal ridges, tip blunt, embolic division much longer than tegular division; cymbium with several prolateral, fewer retrolateral macrosetae (Fig. 14G–I).
Female: Unknown.
A–I males of Paradonea parva and Paradonea presleyi sp. n., habitus, photomicrographs. A–F Paradonea parva A–C male holotype from junction of Marico and Crocodile Rivers, South Africa (B3701, SAM) D–F male from 4 km N of Hopetown, Northern Cape, South Africa (AcAT 97/988, NCA). G–I male holotype of Paradonea presleyi sp. n. from Falcon College, Zimbabwe (CASENT 9039236, CAS) A, D, G dorsal view B, E, H ventral view C, F, I anterior view.
Distribution of Paradonea species. Circles, Paradonea striatipes; squares, Paradonea splendens; inverted triangles, Paradonea variegata; diamonds, Paradonea parva; triangles, Paradonea presleyi sp. n. Primary type localities with all black symbols, those for other localities with white center.
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http://species-id.net/wiki/Paradonea_presleyi
Figs 14J–L, 70F–I, 71Holotype male from Falcon College, Zimbabwe, 20°18'S, 29°E, 10 November 1990 (V. & B. Roth, CASENT 9039236, deposited in CAS); paratype male from Kruger National Park, South Africa, 29 November 2005, pit traps PCZ (K. Harris, AcAT 2008/4480, deposited in NCA).
A patronymic in honor of Elvis Aaron Presley, king of rock and roll and subject of innumerable black velvet paintings.
. Distinguished from other eresids except Stegodyphus by the median eye group, which has large, subequal eyes (AME/PME > 0.6) with clear separation on the horizontal axis and significant overlap on the vertical axis (Fig. 70I); distinguished from Stegodyphus by the short, slightly obtuse clypeal hood (long and acute in Stegodyphus, Fig. 11A, E, I). Male distinguished from other eresids by the distinctive dorsal abdominal pattern (Fig. 70G). Further distinguished from other eresids except Paradonea variegata by the conductor, which bears a helical ridge fringed with distinct papillae (Fig. 14J, L); distinguished from Paradonea variegata by the contiguous chelicerae (Fig. 70I; mesally excavated in Paradonea variegata, Fig. 69C), by the median eye group, which has significant overlap on the vertical axis (Fig. 70I; slight overlap in Paradonea variegata, Fig. 69C), and by the proportions of the conductor, which are wider and shorter than in Paradonea variegata (Fig. 14J, L; compare with 14B, C).
Male (Kruger National Park, South Africa, AcAT 2008/4480, NCA): Carapace with white setae concentrated in thoracic region and eye region; cephalic region semicircular, wider than long, moderately raised; AME smaller than PME (0.57), median eyes slightly separated on horizontal axis, significant overlap on vertical axis, ALE tubercles absent, PER width narrower than AER width (0.87), PLE position on carapace 0.29; clypeal hood forms a slightly more than 90° angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with patches and longitudinal bands of white setae; femur I slightly thickened with thick brush of dark setae; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV, a few scattered ventral macrosetae on tarsus I–IV and metatarsus II–IV. Dorsum of abdomen with two longitudinal stripes of white hairs more or less parallel anteriorly, diverging posteriorly, then connected by transverse portion, median part medium brown, ectal and posterior part dark brown (Fig. 70G–I).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum subrectangular; conductor and embolus together form apical complex running more or less distally; conductor moderately sclerotized, broad with helical ridge fringed with distinct papillae, hooked distally; tegular division slightly longer than embolic division; cymbium with several prolateral macrosetae (Fig. 14J–L).
Female: Unknown.
http://species-id.net/wiki/Seothyra
Seothyra contains 13 recognized species from southern Africa and was revised by
Distinguished from other eresid genera except Dorceus by the small eyes subequal in size (AME/PME > 0.7, Figs 10I, K, 72C, G), and the long, extensible ALS contrasting with reduced PLS (Fig. 72D, although ALS may be retracted and therefore not look so long). Male distinguished from Dorceus by the enlarged leg I (Figs 72A, B, 74A; legs I and II subequal in Dorceus, Fig. 26A), and by the form of the conductor, which is highly variable and elaborate and usually longer than the tegular division (Figs 15A, B, 72I, J, 73A–F; a simple spiral or L-shape hook and shorter than the tegular division in Dorceus, Figs 12D, E, 26I, J; see
Seothyra was revised by
Known from semi-stabilized sand dunes in semiarid desert (
http://species-id.net/wiki/Seothyra_henscheli
Figs 10I–L, 15A–C, 18C, F, 72 –78Male (Gobabeb Station, Namibia, SMN 40828, NMN): Carapace without conspicuous white setae; cephalic region subrectangular, longer than wide, strongly raised; AME slightly larger than PME (AME/PME 1.08), median eyes adjacent on horizontal axis, some overlap on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent; PER slightly wider than AER (PER/AER 1.18), PLE position on carapace 0.35; clypeal hood forms a slightly less than 90° angle; fovea deep. Chelicerae with small lateral boss, excavated mesally, with tooth bearing a row of four denticles adjacent to the base of the fang. Legs without conspicuous white setae; femur, patella and tibia I conspicuously thickened; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus II–IV plus a distal ventral macroseta on tibia III and scattered ventral macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus III–IV and tibia IV. Abdomen with many white setae dorsally (Fig. 72A–D).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum bulbous; conductor and embolus together form apical complex making about two helical turns; conductor increasingly sclerotized distally terminating in a recurved hook; embolic division longer than tegular division; cymbium with several prolateral and retrolateral macrosetae, some macrosetae arising from retrolateral modified with subbasal enlargement (Figs 15A–C, 72I, J, 73A–F).
Female (Gobabeb, Namibia, SMN 46627, NMN): Carapace with many stiff dark setae in the cephalic region and scattered white setae, especially in the thoracic region; cephalic region subrectangular, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME slightly larger than PME (AME/PME 1.05), median eyes adjacent on horizontal axis, some overlap on vertical axis; ALE tubercles absent; PER slightly wider than AER (PER/AER 1.09), PLE position on carapace 0.38; clypeal hood forms a slightly obtuse angle; fovea moderately deep. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with small lateral boss. Legs without conspicuous white setae; legs with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus II–IV, a few scattered ventral macrosetae on tarsus II and numerous ventral macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus III–IV. Abdomen with white setae mostly around the margin (Figs 72E–H, 75A, B).
Epigynum with sinuous slit-like atria occupying ca. half the total length, median lobe margin defined anteriorly and laterally by a ridge (Figs 18G, 76A). Vulva with tightly-wound sinuous stalk leading to spermathecal head at anterior end, multilobed spermathecae at posterior end (Figs 18F, 76B–D).
A–J Seothyra henscheli. A–D, I–J male from Gobabeb Station, Namibia (SMN 40828, NMN) E–H female from Kuiseb River, Gobabeb, Namibia (SMN 46627, NMN) A–D habitus of male, photomicrographs E–H habitus of female, photomicrographs I, J illustrations of left male palp A, E dorsal view B, F ventral view C, G anterior view D, H lateral view I prolateral view J retrolateral view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Seothyra henscheli from Gobabeb Station, Namibia (SMN 40828, NMN), scanning electron micrographs of right male palp, images reversed to appear as left palp. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C detail of embolic division, prolateral view D detail of modified setae on retrolateral side of cymbium. E ventral view F apical view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–D Seothyra henscheli from Gobabeb Station, Namibia (SMN 40828, NMN), scanning electron micrographs of male legI spinnerets, and epiandrous region. A femurI retrolateral view B detail of modified spigot on left male PLS C epiandrous region D detail of epiandrous gland spigots. MS modified spigot.
A–F Seothyra henscheli from Kuiseb River, Gobabeb, Namibia (SMN 46627, NMN), scanning electron micrographs of female prosoma and spinnerets. A prosoma, anterior view, arrow indicates clypeal hood B left chelicerae, ectal view C detail of setae on prosoma D sternum, ventral view E detail of piriform gland spigots on left female ALS F detail of modified spigot on right female PLS. MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot.
A–F Seothyra henscheli from Sout Rivier, Namibia (CASENT 9039242, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of epigynum A epigynum, ventral view B vulva, dorsal view C, D spermathecal head. ML median lobe S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
Figure 77. A–F Seothyra henscheli from Kuiseb River, Gobabeb, Namibia (SMN 46627, NMN), scanning electron micrographs of female spinnerets. A overview B left ALS C left and right PMS D right PLS E cribellum F cribellar spigots. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret CR cribellum CY cylindrical gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret.
A–F Seothyra henscheli from Gobabeb Station, Namibia (SMN 40828, NMN), scanning electron micrographs of male spinnerets. A overview B right ALS C left PMS D left PLS E vestigial cribellum F detail of vestigial cribellum. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret.
Female ALS with spinning field of more than 50 PI (Figs 75E, 77B), male with more than 30 PI (Fig. 78B); both sexes lack MAP on ALS. Female PMS with 2 anterior mAP spigots, a large posteromedian spigot (probably CY), and 8 smaller spigots (Fig. 77C); male PMS with 1 central mAP and 3 AC (Fig. 78C). Female PLS with anterobasal MS and 2 accompanying spigots and distal field of more than 35 AC (Figs 75F, 77D); male MS with 2 flanking nubbins, and only 3–4 AC (Figs 74B, 78D); male and female PLS with peculiar, large, clavate lateral setae. Male cribellar plate with no sign of spigots (Fig. 78E, F); numerous epiandrous gland spigots present (Fig. 74C, D).
http://species-id.net/wiki/Stegodyphus
With the transfer of Stegodyphus annulipes to the genus Loureedia gen. n., the genus Stegodyphus contains 20 recognized species from Africa, southern Europe and Asia, plus a single species from Brazil (
We studied specimens representing three Stegodyphus selected to cover a wide range of the variation present in the genus. Our exemplars were Stegodyphus lineatus, the type species for the genus, based on specimens from Afghanistan, Israel, and Turkey, Stegodyphus mimosarum based on specimens from Madagascar and Malawi, and Stegodyphus sarasinorum based on specimens from Myanmar. Our identification was based on the revision of
Distinguished from other eresids except Paradonea presleyi sp. n. by the median eye group, which has large, subequal eyes (AME/PME > 0.6) with clear separation on the horizontal axis and significant overlap on the vertical axis (Fig. 11A, C, E, G, I, K); distinguished from Paradonea presleyi sp. n. by the long, acute clypeal hood (short, slightly obtuse in Paradonea presleyi sp. n., Fig. 70I). Classically diagnosed by having the PER noticeably more narrow (65–90%) than the AER (
Therevisionary monograph by
Stegodyphus are known from a variety of warm, dry habitats and include both solitary and social species. The solitary species make webs with a central, funnel-like retreat and an irregular cribellate mass appressed to the substrate or multiple cribellate sheets in different planes on which they walk. The social species make a large nest of silk, plant debris and chitinous remains of their insect prey, and large sheets of cribellate silk may extend out in several directions (Fig. 4J–L). The spiders walk upon or hang beneath these sheets. The cribellate silk carding leg is braced with a mobile leg IV, and the margins of the cribellate band are entire (
http://species-id.net/wiki/Stegodyphus_lineatus
Figs 3A–C, 4K, 11A–D, 15D–F, 18G, J, 79 –83Male (Nengrahar, Afghanistan, MR010, MR): Carapace with numerous white setae, cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, strongly raised; AME nearly as large as PME (AME/PME 0.88), median eyes separated on horizontal axis, largely overlapping on vertical axis; ALE on small tubercles; PER much narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.62), PLE position on carapace 0.24; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae with lateral boss, excavated mesally. Legs with numerous white setae; leg I distinctly thickened and elongated (contra
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum subtrapezoidal; conductor and embolus together form apical complex making one helical turn; conductor with more or less membranous and papilliated inner layer extending beyond moderately sclerotized outer layer; tegular division slightly longer than embolic division; cymbium with several prolateral macrosetae (Figs 15D–F, 79I, J, 80A–D).
Female (Belkis, Turkey, MR015, MR): Carapace with numerous white setae, cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME nearly as large as PME (AME/PME 0.87), median eyes separated on horizontal axis, largely overlapping on vertical axis; ALE on small tubercles; PER much narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.68), PLE position on carapace 0.21; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with numerous white setae, with pair of distal ventral macrosetae on tibia I–IV and row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV plus scattered ventral macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus I–IV. Abdomen with numerous white setae (Figs 11C, D, 79E–H, 81A–F).
Epigynum with converging slit-like atria occupying nearly the total length, anteriomedian part with weak notch-shaped invagination, anteriolateral margin a strong curved ridge (Figs 18G, 82A). Vulva with spermathecal heads on thick sinuous stalks leading to multilobed spermathecae posteriorly (Figs 18J, 82B–D).
A–J Stegodyphus lineatus. A–D, I, J male from Nengrahar, Afghanistan (MR010, MR) E–H female from Belkis, near Birecor, Turkey (MR015, MR) A–D habitus of male, photomicrographs E–H habitus of female, photomicrographs I, J illustrations of left male palp A, E dorsal view B, F ventral view C, G anterior view D, H lateral view I prolateral view J retrolateral view. C conductor E embolus T tegulum.
A–D male Stegodyphus lineatus from Nengrahar, Afghanistan (MR010, MR), scanning electron micrographs. A–D right palp, images reversed to appear as left palp E, F epiandrous region A prolateral view B retrolateral view C apical view D detail, prolateral view E ventral view F detail of epiandrous gland spigots. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Female Stegodyphus lineatus from Belkis, near Birecor, Turkey (MR015, MR), scanning electron micrographs of prosoma and chelicerae. A anterior view, arrow indicates clypeal hood B left lateral view C eye region, dorsal view D detail, prosoma cuticle E left chelicera F left cheliceral boss.
A–F female Stegodyphus lineatus from Belkis, near Birecor, Turkey (MR015, MR), scanning electron micrographs of epigynum, vulva, and calamistrum. A epigynum, ventral view B vulva, dorsal view C right spermatheca and fertilization duct D right spermathecal head E calamistrum, left metatarsus IV F detail, calamistrum setae. FD fertilization duct ML median lobe; S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
A–F Stegodyphus lineatus, scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets and trichobothrium. A–D male from Nengrahar, Afghanistan (MR010, MR) E, F female from Belkis, near Birecor, Turkey (MR015, MR). A overview B, E right ALS C left PMS D right PLS F trichobothrium on left metatarsus I. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret.
Our preparations are collapsed, obscuring the spigots of the posterior spinnerets, especially of the female. We are nevertheless able to make some provisional comments about the spigots. Female ALS with 5 MAP within and on inner edge of spinning field of more than 60 PI (Fig. 83E); male with at least 2 MAP within PI field; MAP shafts nearly smooth (Fig. 83B). Male PMS with 2 median mAP spigots flanked by a large anterior mAP tartipore (with shafts scaly as in other eresids), with 11 AC scattered anterior and posterior of mAP (Fig. 83C); female PMS spinning surface nearly hidden, but there appears to be numerous spigots, more than in male, so it is possible that, as in other eresids, both AC and CY are present. Male PLS with at least 13 AC (Fig. 83D); the base of the male PLS and most of the female PLS are not visible, so we cannot confirm the presence of a MS or flanking spigots. Male cribellar plate with no sign of spigots; numerous epiandrous gland spigots present (Fig. 80E, F).
http://species-id.net/wiki/Stegodyphus_mimosarum
Figs 3E, F, 4L, 11E–H, 15G–I, 18H, K, 84 –88Male (Forêt d’Analalava, Madagascar, CASENT 9005869, CAS): Carapace with band of white setae around margin, longitudinal line in cephalic region and patches near PLE; cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.62), median eyes separated on horizontal axis, largely overlapping on vertical axis; ALE on small tubercles; PER much narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.76), PLE position on carapace 0.32; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae with lateral boss, slightly excavated mesally. Legs with patches and longitudinal bands of white setae; leg I thickened with thick brush of dark setae on femur and especially tibia; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV, a few scattered ventral macrosetae on tarsus I–IV and metatarsus II–IV. Dorsum of abdomen with median longitudinal stripe and posterior patch of white setae (Figs 11E, F, 84A–D).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; tegulum subtrapezoidal; conductor and embolus together form apical complex making one helical turn; conductor with more or less membranous and papilliated inner layer extending beyond moderately sclerotized outer layer; embolic division longer than tegular division; cymbium with several prolateral macrosetae (Figs 15G–I, 84I, J, 85A–D).
Female (Forêt d’Analalava, Madagascar, CASENT 9005869, CAS):Carapace with band of white setae around margin, densely mixed in cephalic region, fewer in thoracic region mesal to lateral band; cephalic region subtrapezoidal, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME distinctly smaller than PME (AME/PME 0.69), median eyes separated on horizontal axis, largely overlapping on vertical axis; ALE on small tubercles; PER much narrower than AER (0.77), PLE position on carapace 0.27; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with patches of white setae; with row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV, scattered ventral macrosetae on tarsus I–IV and metatarsus II–IV. Dorsum of abdomen with alternating light and dark longitudinal bands (Figs 11G, H, 84E–H).
Epigynum bell-shaped with fleshy, bell-shaped median lobe, higher posteriorly than anteriorly, anteriomedian part with notch-shaped invagination (Figs 18H, 86A). Vulva with spermathecal heads on compact sinuous stalks leading to multilobed spermathecae posteriorly (Figs 18K, 86B–D).
A–J Stegodyphus mimosarum from Forêt d'Analalava, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (CASENT 9005869, CAS), images reversed. A–D, I, J male E–H female A–D habitus of male, photomicrographs E–H habitus of female, photomicrographs J–K illustrations of left male palp A, E dorsal view B, F ventral view C, G anterior view D, H lateral view I prolateral view J retrolateral view. C conductor E embolus T tegulum.
A–F Stegodyphus mimosarum, scanning electron micrographs of male from Forêt d'Analalava, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (CASENT 9015950, CAS). A–D right palp, images reversed so as to appear a left palp E, F epiandrous gland spigots A prolateral view B retrolateral view C apical view D ventral view E epiandrous region, ventral view F detail, epiandrous gland spigots. C conductor E embolus T tegulum.
A–D Stegodyphus mimosarum female from Forêt d'Analalava, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (CASENT 9015950, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of genitalia. A epigynum, ventral view B vulva, dorsal view C spermathecal head D spermatheca and fertilization duct. FD fertilization duct ML median lobe S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
A–F Stegodyphus mimosarum female from Forêt d'Analalava, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (CASENT 9015950, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets. A Overview B Left ALS C Left PMS D Right PLS E Left lobe of cribellum F Cribellar spigots. Unlabeled spigots in C thought to be a mixture of aciniform gland spigots and cylindrical gland spigots. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret CR cribellum MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret t tartipore.
A–F Stegodyphus mimosarum male from Forêt d'Analalava, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (CASENT 9015950, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets. A Overview B Right ALS C Left PMS D Right PLS E Detail of modified spigot on right PLS F Vestigial cribellum. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret CR cribellum MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret t tartipore.
Female ALS with 6–8 MAP within and on inner edge of spinning field of 40–80 or more PI (Fig. 87B;
http://species-id.net/wiki/Stegodyphus_sarasinorum
Figs 11I–L, 15I, L, 18I, L, 89 –95Male (7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Myanmar, CASENT 9019370, CAS): Carapace with few white setae, cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, moderately raised; AME nearly as large as PME (AME/PME 0.87), median eyes separated on horizontal axis, largely overlapping on vertical axis; ALE on small tubercles; PER much narrower than AER (PER/AER 0.86), PLE position on carapace 0.24; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae with lateral boss, slightly excavated mesally, with a single large keel-like tooth bearing denticles on the ectal side. Legs with numerous white setae; leg I somewhat thickened and elongated; with distal ventral macrosetae on tibia I–IV, row of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV plus scattered ventral macrosetae on metatarsus and tarsus I–IV. Abdomen with numerous white setae (Figs 11I, J, 89A–D).
Male palp with proximal-distal axis; cymbium slightly excavated retrobasally; conductor and embolus together form apical complex making more than one helical turn; conductor moderately sclerotized, tegular division longer than embolic division; cymbium with several prolateral macrosetae (Figs 15J–L, 89I, J, 90A–E).
Female (7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Myanmar, CASENT 9019370, CAS):Carapace with numerous white setae, cephalic region subtriangular, longer than wide, slightly raised; AME nearly as large as PME (AME/PME 0.84), median eyes separated on horizontal axis, largely overlapping on vertical axis; ALE on small tubercles; PER much narrower than AER (0.86), PLE position on carapace 0.24; clypeal hood forms acute angle; fovea shallow. Chelicerae contiguous mesally, with lateral boss. Legs with numerous white setae; with pair of distal ventral macrosetae on metatarsus I–IV, scattered ventral macrosetae on tibia III and metatarsus and tarsus III–IV. Abdomen with numerous white setae (Figs 11K, L, 89E–H, 91A, B, D, E).
Epigynum with slit-like atria that converge then briefly diverge near anterior limit, occupying nearly the total length, anteriomedian part with moderate notch-shaped invagination, anteriolateral margin a moderate curved ridge (Figs 18I, 93A). Vulva with spermathecal heads on long sinuous stalks leading to multilobed spermathecae posteriorly (Figs 18L, 93B–E).
A–J Stegodyphus sarasinorum from 7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Magway Division, Myanmar (CASENT 9019370, CAS). A–D, I–J male, images reversed E–H female A–D habitus of male, photomicrographs E–H habitus of female, photomicrographs I, J illustrations of left male palp A, E dorsal view B, F ventral view C, G anterior view D, H lateral view I prolateral view J retrolateral view. C conductor E embolus T tegulum.
A–F Stegodyphus sarasinorum male from 7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Magway Division, Myanmar (CASENT 9019370, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of right palp, images reversed to appear as left palp. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C ventral view D ventral-apical view E apical view F palpal tibia, dorsal view. C conductor E embolus ST subtegulum T tegulum.
A–F Stegodyphus sarasinorum female from 7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Magway Division, Myanmar (CASENT 9019370, CAS), scanning electron micrographs of prosoma and chelicerae. A Prosoma, anterior view, left chelicera removed, arrow indicates clypeal hood B prosoma, dorsal view C sternum, ventral view D left chelicerae, ectal view E left cheliceral boss F distal part of left chelicera showing fang and teeth.
A–F, Stegodyphus sarasinorum, scanning electron micrographs of female from 7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Magway Division, Myanmar (CASENT 9019370, CAS). A tarsal organ indicated by arrow, left leg I B trichobothrium, left metatarsus I C tarsal claws, left legI retrolateral view D calamistrum, left metatarsus IV E detail of calamistrum setae F left female palp, retrolateral view.
A–F, Stegodyphus sarasinorum from 7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Magway Division, Myanmar (CASENT 9019370, CAS), scanning electron micrographs. A–E female F male A epigynum, ventral view B vulva, dorsal view C vulva, dorsolateral view D detail of spermatheca E detail of spermathecal head F epiandrous gland spigots. FD fertilization duct ML median lobe S spermatheca SH spermathecal head.
A–F Stegodyphus sarasinorum, scanning electron micrographs of spinnerets of female from 7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Magway Division, Myanmar (CASENT 9019370, CAS). A overview B right ALS C left PMS D right PLS E cribellum F cribellar spigots. Unlabeled spigots in C thought to be a mixture of aciniform gland spigots and cylindrical gland spigots. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret CR cribellum MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot n nubbin PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret t tartipore.
A–F Stegodyphus sarasinorum, spinnerets of male from 7.5 km E PwintPhyu, Magway Division, Myanmar (CASENT 9019370, CAS). A overview B right ALS C right PMS D right PLS E detail of modified spigot on right PLS F vestigial cribellum. AC aciniform gland spigot ALS anterior lateral spinneret MAP major ampullate gland spigot mAP minor ampullate gland spigot MS modified spigot PI piriform gland spigot PLS posterior lateral spinneret PMS posterior median spinneret t tartipore.
Female ALS with at least 7 MAP within and on inner edge of spinning field of more the 90 PI and many small tartipores (Fig. 94B); male with at least 1 MAP on inner margin and 3 more within spinning field of about 50 PI (Fig. 95B). Female PMS with 1 central mAP spigot, a large anterior spigot (probably CY) flanked by 2 large tartipores, and 30 smaller spigots scattered from anterior to posterior (Fig. 94C); male PMS with 1 central mAP and about 9 AC, suggesting that the additional spigots on the female may comprise AC and CY spigots (Fig. 95C). Female PLS with anterobasal MS and 1 accompanying spigot and distal field of more than 35 AC (Fig. 94D); male MS with 2 flanking spigots, also with about 35 AC (Fig. 95D, E). Male cribellar plate with no sign of spigots (Fig. 95F); numerous epiandrous gland spigots present (Fig. 93F).
We are grateful to the following institutions and individuals for the loan of specimens: Janet Beccaloni (BMNH); Tharina Bird (NMN); Hörweg Christoph (NMW); Margie Cochrane (SAM); Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman, Petro Marais, and Annette Van Den Berg (NCA); Jason Dunlop and Benjamin Nitsche (ZMHB); Martin Forman, Gershom Levy (HUJ); Leon Lotz (BMSA); Robin Lyle (TMSA); Christine Rollard (MNHN); Peter Schwendinger (MHNG). Thanks to Yael Lubin for facilitating access to the HUJ collection for MR. Thanks to Yuri Marusik, Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman, and Jörg Wunderlich for helpful comments on a draft of the manuscript.
Major support for this research was provided by an integrated research grant from EDIT (the European Distributed Institute of Taxonomy). Participation by Mohammad Marhabaie was facilitated by a Martin Fellowship from NCB Naturalis. Tamás Szűts was supported by a Schlinger Chair of Arachnology Postdoctoral Fellowship (CAS); M. Řezáč was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (206/09P521), the Czech Ministry of Agriculture (MZE0002700604), and the Grant Agency of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IAA601110808). Christine Rollard and Christophe Hervé kindly hosted M. Řezáč during his visit to the NMNH. Yael Lubin and Efrat Gavish-Regev kindly hosted M. Řezáč during his visit to Israel. Thanks to Giovanni Maki for providing all coquille board illustrations of male palpi and to a grant from the Schlinger Foundation to the Planidium Fund (CAS) for funding his participation in this project. The Exline-Frizzel Fund for Arachnological Research provided material support for project participants at CAS. Nikolaj Scharff acknowledges the Danish National Research Foundation for support to the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate and the Danish Natural Science Foundation (grant no. 21020502). Field work and photography was supported by grants from the U.S. National Science Foundation (Systematics and Biogeography of Afromontane Spiders, BSR-9020439 and DEB-9020439, Terrestrial Arthropod inventory of Madagascar, DEB-0072713 and PBI: Collaborative Research: The Megadiverse, Microdistributed Spider Family Oonopidae, DEB-0613775, C. Griswold, P.I.; Assembling the Tree of Life: Phylogeny of Spiders, EAR-0228699, W. Wheeler, P.I.; The Amphibian & Reptile Diversity of Myanmar (Burma), DEB-0451832, A. Leviton, P.I.) and the Lindsay Travel Fund (CAS).
Thanks to Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman and Rudy Jocqué for help with the history of the common name velvet spiders. Thanks to Charles Fransen (NCB Naturalis, Leiden), Eric van Nieukerken (NCB Naturalis, Leiden), and G.B. Edwards (Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Gainesville) for advice on nomenclatural issues. Charles Haddad and Martin Forman contributed new specimens for the molecular portion of this study. Gábor Kovács (Szeged, Hungary) generously donated specimens from his personal collection and allowed them to be deposited at CAS. Thanks to Martin Forman (Charles University, Prague) for sharing his observations of natural history. Thanks to Dong Lin, Efrat Gavish-Regev, Charles Haddad, Sergio Henriques, Siegfried Huber, Pavel Krásenský, Rudolf Macek, Stanislav Macík, Teresa Meikle, Amir Weinstein, and Yang Zi-Zhong for contributing photographs of living animals and to Hannah Wood, Meghan Culpepper, and Fernando Álvarez-Padilla for providing images.
Specimen data.
All specimens examined unless otherwise indicated.
Adonea fimbriata Simon, 1873
Primary types
Algeria and Tunisia: ♂♂ (uncounted) [no date] (735, AR5439, MNHN, syntypes).
Additional specimens examined
Algeria-Morocco: 3 ♂ [no date] (MR012, MR). Israel: 1 ♀, Merhav Am village [30.88802°N, 34.82817°E], September 2007 (J. Kral, MR003, MR); 1 ♀, Wadi Mashash, 20 km S of Beer Sheva, 22 July 1993 (MR013, HUJ).
Dorceus fastuosus C. L. Koch, 1846
Primary types
Dorceus fastuosus C. L. Koch, 1846
Senegal: 1 ♂, Mian (Kat.-Nr. 1527, ZMHB, not examined). Note: As reported by
Dorceus viberti Simon, 1910
Tunisia: 1 ♂ [+ 1 misidentified ♀, see
Additional specimens examined
Israel: 5 ♂, Mashabin Sand Dunes, 23 August 2007 (J. Kral, MR006, HUJ); 1 ♀, Mashabim sand dunes, collected as juvenile 18 January 2009, matured in captivity 1 May 2009 (I. Hoffman, MR002, MR); 1 ♀, Negev, Mashabim sand dunes, 2008 (J. Kral, MR); 1 ♀, Negev desert, Mashabim Reserve, top of the sandy hill between the crop station of the Ben Gurion University and Wadi Bessor, Vysata [“sucked" - mother cannibalized by spiderlings], nest 1, 2008 (J. Kral, MR). Senegal: 3 ♂, Dakar [no date] (1237, AR 5405, NMNH).
Dresserus spp.
Specimens examined
Republic of South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal Province: 1 ♀ Drummond, 600 m, 29°44'S, 30°42'E, 16 December 1990 (V. D. & B. Roth, CASENT 9037024, CAS); 1 ♂, Hluhluwe Game Reserve, 18 November 1992 (Endrody-Younga, TM 19739, TMSA); Mpumalanga: 1 ♂, Witbank, 10 November 1991 (TM 19738, TMSA); Northern [Limpopo] Province: Klein Kariba, ca 7 km W Warmbad, 24°50'S, 28°20'E, 24–28 November 1996, 1140 m (C. E. Griswold, CASENT 9025745, CAS). Tanzania: 1 ♂, Tanga region, Muheza District, Manga Forest Reserve, 38°47'E, 5°02'S, October–December 1994 (Frontier Tanzania, ZMUC); 1 ♀, Tanga region, West Usambara Mts., Mazumbai station [Mazumbai Research Station], 4°48.5'S, 38°30'E, 1500m, 10–20 November 1995 (C. E. Griswold, N. Scharff, and D. Ubick, CASENT 9025747, CAS); 1 ♂, Tanga region, West Usambara Mts., Mazumbai station [Mazumbai Research Station], 4°48.5'S, 38°30'E, 1500m, 10–20 November 1995 (C. E. Griswold, N. Scharff, and D. Ubick, CASENT 9025746, CAS).
Eresus walckenaeri Brullé, 1832
Primary type
Greece: 4 ♀, Laconie near Sparta [37.075°N, 22.43333°E] (syntypes, presumed lost, not examined).
Specimens examined
Bulgaria: 2 ♂, Kresna, Skalni Stepi, 27 May 2008 (J. Chytil, MR). Greece: Pieria: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Leptokaryas, 40°3.221'N, 22°32.917'E, 22 June 2008 (J. Maruch, MR020, MR); Lakonia: 1♀, 5 km south of Monemvasia, 6–20 April 1981 (Bjarne Skule leg., ZMUC 00012903, ZMUC).
Eresus kollari Rossi, 1846
Primary type
Austria: 1 ♀, Baden near Vienna [48.20833°N, 16.37166°], August 1841 (K. Kollar, NMW, syntype).
Additional specimens examined
Czechia: 18 ♀, Srbsko, res. Koda [49°56'0.896"N, 14°7'13.176"E] 29 October 2002, rocky steppe on limestone (M. Řezáč, MR016, MR); 6♂, Prague, res. Radotinske udoli [49°59'59.41"N, 14°19'6.579"E] 1998, rocky steppe on limestone (M. Řezáč, MR007, MR). Hungary: 1 ♂, Remete Mountain, close to Remeteszolos [Remeteszőlős], ~8 km NNW from Budapest, 18.93051°E, 47.56685°N, 3 October 2007 (G. Kovacs [Kovács], CASENT 9037134, CAS). See Řezáč et al. (2008) for additional specimen records.
Eresus sandaliatus (Martini & Goeze, 1778)
Specimens examined
Denmark: 1 ♂, 1 ♀ SE of Silkeborg, on road from Rye to Gl. Salten, 9°35'E, 56°05'N, 25 November 1994 (P. d. Place Bjørn, CASENT 9039243, CAS).
Gandanameno Lehtinen, 1967
Primary types
Eresus depressus Tucker, 1920
South Africa: Eastern Cape: 6 ♀, Hanover, E. Karoo [31.068°S, 24.440°E] September–October 1901, (S. C. Schreiner, SAM-ENW-X012852, SAM, syntypes); 5 ♀, Hanover, E. Karoo [31.068°S, 24.440°E] September–October 1901 (S. C. Schreiner, SAM-12852, SAM, syntypes).
Eresus echinatus Purcell, 1908
Namibia: 1 ♀, Rooibank, SW of Walvis Bay, S. Hereroland [23.174°S, 14.655°E] May 1905 (L. Schultze, SAM-ENW-X150519, SAM, holotype).
Eresus purcelli Tucker, 1920
South Africa: Eastern Cape: 1 ♀, East London [33.013°S, 27.903°E] 29 September–October 1905 (Mr. & Mrs. W. F. Purcell, SAM-ENW-B002435, SAM, holotype).
Eresus spenceri Pocock, 1900
South Africa: Eastern Cape: 1 ♀, Port Elizabeth [33°58'S, 25°36'E] 18 July 1890 (BMNH, holotype).
Eresus inornatus Pocock, 1898
Nyasaland [Malawi]: 1 ♀, Nyika Plateau [10.350°S, 33.600°E] 25 April 1897 (A. Whyte, BMNH, holotype).
Eresus bubo L. Koch, 1865
South Africa: Eastern Cape: ♀, Algoa Bay [33°50'S, 25°50'E] (not examined).
Eresus namaquensis Purcell, 1908
South Africa: Northern Cape: ♀, Namaqualand, Steinkopf [29°16'S, 17°44'E] July–August 1904 (L Schultze, not examined).
Gandanameno sp.
Additional specimens examined
Namibia: 1 ♀, 20 juveniles, Gobabeb, Kuiseb River Bed [23.6°S, 15°E], 7 February 1978, with an egg sac, O. Lomholdt (19780207, ZMUC); 1 ♀, Homeb, 23.638350°S, 15.18663333°E, October 2009, under the bark on the tree (M. Forman, F. Stahlavsky, MF collection #9, “adult 13 October 2009, died 29 January 2010, I breed few of their offspring", DNA sample RMNH.ARA.1452113, RMNH). Republic of South Africa: Eastern Cape: 1 ♂, 7 Park Road, Grahamstown, C.P. [33.3°S, 26.528°E] 25 March 1979, under dry brick in aviary (P. Hawkes, P. Croeser, AcAT 82/317, NCA); 1 ♀, Addo Bush, C. Col. [33°32'S, 25°50'E, SAM database] September 1919 (J. Drury, SAM-B4653, SAM); 1 ♀, Cradock [33.878°S, 18.574°E] 25 October 1989, pit trap (M. de Jager, AcAT 90/464, NCA); 1 ♂, Farm Hermanuskraal near Fort Brown [33.143°S, 26.621°E] 2 October 1993, on soil-pit trap (M. Burger, AcAT 96/34, M.B.-236, NCA); 1 ♂, 2 juveniles, Graaff-Reinet [32°15'S, 24°33'E, SAM database] September 1902 (J. Paynter, SAM 12571, SAM); 1 ♀, Grahamstown [33.310°S, 26.520°E] October 1979 (P. Croeser, AcAT 82/18, NCA); 4 ♀, Grahamstown [33.310°S, 26.520°E] 15 October 1938 (Tenther, 19381015, MHNG); 1 ♀, Grahamstown [33.310°S, 26.520°E] (Reimoser, MHNG); 1 ♀, Grahmstown, Gretna Farm [33.310°S, 26.520°E] 1 January 1980, in web in tree stump (P. Hawkes, AcAT 82/108, NCA); 1 ♀, Middleburg, 31°33.714'S, 24°48.229'E, 7 February 2006 (J. Miller, H. Wood, L. Lotz, M. de Jager, DNA sample 09-05, CASENT 9023623, CAS); 1 ♀, Port Elizabeth [33.958°S, 25.619°E] 5 April 1987, bark of tree in caravan park (G. Gelderblom, AcAT 89/40, NCA); 1 ♀, Port Elizabeth [33.9°S, 25.6°E] (S. Hansen, port-3325, ZMHB); 1 ♀, Port Elizabeth [33°58'S, 25°36'E, SAM database] 29 July 1899 (J. L. DrŠje, SAM-5398, SAM); 1 ♀, Port Elizabeth [33°58'S, 25°36'E, SAM database] November 1897 (J. L. DrŠje, SAM-2148, SAM); 1 ♀, Port Elizabeth [33°58'S, 25°36'E, SAM database] January 1900 (J. L. DrŠje, SAM-8461, SAM); 1 ♀, Tarkastad [32°1'S, 26°18'E, SAM database] 1903, (R. Brown [R. Pegler in SAM database], SAM-12887, SAM); 1 ♀, 1 juvenile, Uitenhage district, Dunbrody [33°28'S, 25°33'E, SAM database] 1903 (J. A. O'N, eil, SAM-12881, SAM); 1 ♀, Uitenhage district, Dunbrody [33°28'S, 25°33'E, SAM database] 1901 (J. A. O'N, eil, SAM-9215, SAM); 1 ♂, Uitenhage, Springs Resort, 33°42'S, 25°26'E, 19 January 2004, Night hunting (L. Lotz, NMBA 09196, BMSA, DNA sample 20-05); 1 ♀, 1 juvenile, Willowmore [33°18'S, 23°29'E, SAM database] 1903 (H. Brauns, SAM-12846, SAM); 1 ♀, Willowmore, Uitspan, 33°31'S, 23°42'E, 27–28 February 2008, in cave (L. Lotz, NMBA 11579, BMSA, DNA sample 19-06); Free State Province: Amanzi Game Reserve 11.64 km 344° N Brandfort, 28°35.438'S, 26°26.145'E, 1425 m, 25 October 2011, bushveld/ grassland (L. Almeida, C. Griswold, T. Meikle, C. Haddad, CAS); 1 ♀, Bloemfontein, 29°8'S, 26°10'E, 8 September 1991, dead on dogs nose (A. Truter, NMBA 08050, BMSA); 1 ♀, Bloemfontein, 29°8'S, 26°10'E, 13 January 1994 (A. Lombard, NMBA 07917, BMSA); 1 ♀, Bloemfontein, 29°8'S, 26°10'E, 9 May 1993 (A. Pretorius, NMBA 07950, BMSA); 1 ♀, Bloemfontein, 29°8'S, 26°10'E, 17 September 1989, in house (S. Louw, NMBA 02940, BMSA); 1 ♀, Bloemfontein, 29°8'S, 26°10'E, 25 February 1991, under stone (Museum Staff, NMBA 05379, BMSA); 1 ♂, Bloemfontein, 29°8'S, 26°10'E, 26 September 1990, in house (J. du Preez, NMBA 05322, BMSA); 1 ♀, Bloemfontein, 29°8'S, 26°10'E, 27 January 1997, in garden (L. Lotz, NMBA 07948, BMSA, DNA sample 19-03); 1 ♀, Bloemfontein, 29°8'S, 26°10'E, 19 January 1998, in garden (B. v/d Walt, NMBA 08705, BMSA); 2 ♀, Bloemfontein, 29°8'S, 26°10'E, 12 November 1998, in house (R. Nuttall, DNA sample 19-07, NMBA 08847, BMSA); 1 ♀, Bloemfontein [29°S, 26.100°E] 29 January 2005 (from Johannesen et al. 2007, M. Řezáč, 14-06); 1 ♀, Brandfort, 28°42'S, 26°27'E, 1974, by hand (S. van Ee, NMBA 05250, BMSA); 1 ♀, Jagersfontein, Klein Preezfontein, 29°49'S, 25°25'E, 15 August 1989, under stones (Students, NMBA 02925, BMSA); 1 ♀, Jacobsdal, Kimberley Rd., 29°8'S, 24°41'E, 4 May 1988, in channel (Museum Staff, NMBA 02568, BMSA); 1 ♂, nr Lindley, Doornkloof Nature Reserve, Overspruit Campsite [30.331°S, 24.987°E] 25 September 2007, in web under rocks (D. du Plessis, AcAT 2008/554, NCA); 1 ♀, Vaalpark [26.775°S, 27.849°E] 16 November 1993, in house, strong silk thread (E. Els, AcAT 94/64, NCA); [Gauteng?]: 1 ♀, Transvaal [26°S, 28°E] (Reimoser, MHNG); Gauteng: 1 ♀, Botha Plotte [26.200°S, 27.670°E] 8 April 1987, on tree trunk (C. Scheepers, AcAT 89/75, NCA); 1 ♀, Craighall, Johannesburg [26.115°S, 28.026°E] 11 May 1987, from tree in garden (Rod Wilson, AcAT 87/731, NCA); 1 ♀, Johannesburg [26°12'S, 28°5'E, SAM database] (SAM-12824, SAM); 1 ♀, Johannesburg, Melville Koppies [26.169°S, 28°E] 7 April 1988, web under rock (L. Prendini, AcAT 91/911, NCA); 1 ♀, Magalieoberg [Magaliesberg] district [26°S, 27°32'45"E] 13 March 1987, ander bas v boon (M. Vogt, AcAT 88/190, NCA); 1 ♀, Pretoria [25.742°S, 28.188°E] 5 April 1987, Op klipmuur in gat (H. Scheepers, AcAT 91/1104, NCA); 1 ♂, Pretoria, 25.450°S, 28.120°E, 15 October 1986 (L. Vrey, AcAT 86/578, NCA); 1 ♀, Pta [Pretoria], Hatfield, [25.750°S, 28.230°E] 14 February 1987, on tree (L. van Heerden, AcAT 90/322, NCA); 1 ♀, Pretoria, Leaufontein, Roodeplaat Dam [25°37'44.15"S, 28°21'2.08"E] 3 December 2002 (L. Prinsloo, TM21768, TMSA); 1 ♀, Rietfontein, Pretoria [25.707°S, 28.221°E] 13 November 1997, in garden (B. Sunkel, AcAT 98/48, NCA, DNA sample 20-04); 1 ♀, Roodepoort, Kloofendal [26.133841°S, 27.885662°E] 16 February 1989, under loose bark of gum trees (A. Leroy, AcAT 89/688, LR493, NCA); KwaZulu-Natal:1 ♀, Greytown [29.064°S, 30.389°E] 25 June 1983 (P. Reavell, AcAT 92/408, NCA); 1 ♀, Ophathe Game Reserve, Ophathe River crossing, 28°23.727'S, 31°23.643'E, 5 July 2007, active searching under logs (C. Haddad, DNA sample 13-10, NCA); 1 ♀, Ophathe Game Reserve, Ophathe River crossing, 28°23.727'S, 31°23.643'E, 5 July 2007, active searching under logs (C. Haddad, DNA sample 19-02, NCA); 1 ♀, 1 juvenile, Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve Nr. Park Rynie [30.300°S, 30.720°E] 25 March 1985 (R. Maartens, AcAT 86/565, NCA); Northern Cape: 1 ♂, Barkly West, Vaalbos National Park [28°26'S, 24°16'E] 17–21 October 1988, under stones (Ent. Staff, NMBA 02789, BMSA); 2 ♀, E Karroo, Hanover [31°4'S, 24°27'E, SAM database] December 1901 (S. C. Schreiner, SAM-12854, SAM); 1 ♀, E Karroo, Hanover [31°4'S, 24°27'E, SAM database] November 1901 (S. C. Schreiner, SAM-12853, SAM); 1 ♀, E Karroo, Hanover [31°4'S, 24°27'E, SAM database] January 1902 (S. C. Schreiner, SAM-11800, SAM); 4 ♂, E. Karroo, Hanover [31°4'S, 24°27'E, SAM database] September–October 1901 (S. C. Schreiner, SAM 9465, SAM); 3 ♀, Eierfontein, 8–9 miles west of Hanover [31°5'S, 24°18'E, SAM database] December 1901–February 1902 (S. C. Schreiner, SAM-12823, SAM); 1 ♀, Eierfontein, 8–9 miles west of Hanover [31°5'S, 24°18'E, SAM database] December 1901–February 1902 (S. C. Schreiner, SAM-11948, SAM); 1 ♀, Eierfontein, 8–9 miles west of Hanover [31°5'S, 24°18'E, SAM database] 1902 (S. C. Schreiner, SAM-12579, SAM); 1 ♀, Hanover [31.068°S, 24.440°E] (SAM-ENW-B006896/SAM-9958, SAM); 1 ♀, Hanover, E Karroo, C.P. [31°4'S, 24°27'E, SAM database] December 1901 (S. C. Schreiner, SAM-11813, SAM); 1 ♀, Kimberley [28.743°S, 24.762°E] December 1918 (J. H. Power, SAM-B4202/Aran 2248, SAM); 1 ♀, Kleinsee [29°40'S, 17°5'E, SAM database] March 1935 (A. J. Hesse, Thorne, R. F. Lawrence, SAM-B8885, SAM); 1 ♀, Namaqualand [29.350°S, 17.630°E] 1905 (G. Alston, SAM-14426/Aran 2246, SAM); 2 ♀, Namaqualand, Steinkopf [29°16'S, 17°44'E, SAM database] July–August 1904 (L. Schultze, SAM-150518/Aran 2165, SAM); 1 ♀, Namaqualand, Wolfberg, 29°37'S, 17°25'E, 16 September 1994 (J. Irish, NMBA 08112, BMSA); 1 ♂, Poortjiesfontein, 5–6 miles N of Hanover [31°S, 24°28'E, SAM database] 1905 (E. Neeser, SAM-14479, SAM); 1 ♀, Vlagkop, 5–6 miles north of Hanover [31°S, 24°28'E, SAM database] December 1901–January 1902 (SAM-11924, SAM); North West Province: 1 ♀, Barberspan [26.620°S, 25.570°E] 23 February 1991, under bark of blue gum tree (M. Filmer, AcAT 91/805, NCA); 1 ♂, Barberspan [26.620°S, 25.570°E] 25 September 1990, in house (K. Morgan, AcAT 91/758, NCA); 1 ♀, Naauwpoort [26.188°S, 25.577°E; for this and the following record, the SAM database gives alternative coordinates: 32°07'S, 23°00'E, the location of Nelspoort, Western Cape] 12 October 1905 (W. F. P., SAM-B1565, SAM); 1 ♂, Naauwpoort [26.188°S, 25.577°E] 16–17 September 1913 (W. F. Purcell, SAM 1600, SAM); 1 ♀, Vryburg [26°58'S, 22°44'E, SAM database] (SAM, SAM-14291); Western Cape: 1 ♂, Anysberg Nature Reserve [33.491550°S, 20.473876°E] September 2007 (C. Haddad & R. Lyle, MF collection #16, DNA sample RMNH.ARA.14515, RMNH); 1 ♀, Anysberg Nature Reserve [33.491550°S, 20.473876°E] September 2007 (C. Haddad & R. Lyle, MF collection #13, DNA sample RMNH.ARA.14519, RMNH); 1 ♀, Beaufort West [32°21'S, 22°35'E, SAM database] 24–29 October 1905 (W. F. Purcell, SAM-B1560, SAM); 1 ♂, Bergvliet [34°3'S, 18°27'E, SAM database] September 1904 (W. F. Purcell, SAM-14207, SAM); 2 ♀, Bergvliet flats, Constantia [34°3'S, 18°27'E, SAM database] December 1899 (W. F. Purcell, SAM-8700, SAM); 1 ♀, Bergvliet, Cape Province [34°3'S, 18°27'E, SAM database] September 1904 (W. F. Purcell, SAM-13896, SAM); 1 ♀, Buffels Bay [33°34'S, 18°21'E, SAM database] [no date] (R. Smithers, SAM-B9112, SAM); 1 ♀, Cape Peninsula, Clifton on Sea [33°56'S, 18°22'E, SAM database] 3 May 1918 (B. Wallace, SAM-B4182, SAM); 2 ♀, Cape Point [34.357°S, 18.497°E] 15 February 1990, caught under Eucalyptus gomphocephala bark with +- 40 dead adult beetles (G. Tribe, AcAT 91/499, NCA); 1 ♂, Cape Town [33.95°S, 18.45°E] (MF #11, “born in captivity, offspring of the female no 10 from Cape Town, " DNA sample RMNH.ARA.14516, RMNH); 1 ♀, Cape Town surroundings [33.95°S, 18.45°E] (C. Haddad, MF collection #10, “I breed second generation from this female, " DNA sample RMNH.ARA.14520, RMNH); 1 ♀, Cape Town [33°56'S, 18°28'E, SAM database] [no date] (SAM-832, SAM); 1 ♀, Cape Town, Cable Way, 33°59'S, 18°30'E, February 1986, tree bark (M. Filmer, AcAT 87/122, NCA); 1 ♀, Cape Town, Green Point [33°54'S, 18°24'E, SAM database] [no date] (H. Pitcher, SAM-B9285, SAM); 1 ♀, Cape Town, Oranjezicht [33°56'S, 18°25'E, SAM database] 30 June 1991 (N. Larsen, SAM-C2215, SAM); 1 ♀, Cape Town, Signal Hill [33°55'S, 18°24'E, SAM database] 1896–1898 (SAM-3539, SAM); 4 ♀, 1 juvenile, Cape Peninsula [34.15°S, 18.4°E] (SAM-B9113, SAM); 1 ♀, De Hoop Nat Reserve [34°28'45"S, 20°30'45"E, SAM database] January 1992 (N. Larsen, SAM-C2411, SAM); 1 ♀, De Hoop Nat Reserve, Bredasdorp [34°28'35"S, 20°30'45"E, SAM database] 17–20 April 1992, under stone (Norman Larsen, SAM-C2507, NL351, SAM); 1 ♀, De Hoop Nat Reserve, Potberg [34.422°S, 20.545°E] 7 April 2004, fynbos under rock (C. Haddad, DNA sample 18-01, AcAT 2006/112, NCA); 3 ♀, 1 juvenile, Devil'S, Peak (North slope) [33°57'S, 18°26'E, SAM database] May 1902 (W. F. Purcell, SAM-12102, SAM); 1 ♀, Devil'S, Peak (North slope) [33°57'S, 18°26'E, SAM database] January 1902 (W. F. P., SAM-12099, SAM); 1 ♀, Devil'S, Peak (North slope) [33°57'S, 18°26'E, SAM database] September 1901 (W. F. Purcell, SAM-9005, SAM); 1 ♂, Farm Tierberg, NE of Prince Albert [33.202°S, 22.069°E] 17 February 2007, Trap 19-1 (M. Burger, M. Fabricius, DNA sample 18-06, AcAT 2008/3804, NCA); 1 ♂, Farm Tierberg, NE of Prince Albert [33.202°S, 22.069°E] 17 February 2007, Trap 19-2 (M. Burger, M. Fabricius, DNA sample 18-08, AcAT 2008/3782, NCA); 1 ♀, Karoo National Park near Beaufort West [32.350°S, 22.580°E] 5 April 1989, web in grass (A. Leroy, AcAT 89/766, LR426, NCA); 1 ♀, Karoo National Park near Beaufort West [32.350°S, 22.580°E] 4 April 1989, web in grass (A. Leroy, AcAT 89/761, LR404, NCA); 1 ♀, Knysna, Southern Comfort, 34°2'S, 23°15'E, 10 April 2006, per hand (L. Lotz, DNA sample 20-02, NMBA 09686, BMSA); 1 ♀, 3 juveniles, Kommetjie, 30 air km S Cape Town, 34°9'S, 18°20'E, 5 April 2001, coastal strand (D. Ubick, S. Prinsloo and K. Muller, CASENT 9039241, CAS); 1 ♀, Leeukoppie, Hout Bay [34°1'S, 18°21'E, SAM database] [no date] (R. Smithers, SAM-B9295, SAM); 1 ♀, Maitland flats [33°55'S, 18°29'E, SAM database] September 1899 (Mrs. [W. F.] Purcell, SAM-6083, SAM); 1 ♀, Mossel Bay [34°11'S, 22°8'E, SAM database] 14 April 1899 (J. L. DrŠje, SAM-5366, SAM); 1 ♀, Mossel Bay [34°11'S, 22°8'E, SAM database] (J. H. Power, SAM-B4594, SAM); 3 ♀, 2 juveniles, Pacaltsdorp, George [34°1'S, 22°27'E, SAM database] 1899 (L. Leipoldt (Pattison), SAM-5126, SAM); 1 ♀, Poortjiesfontein, 5–6 miles N of Hanover [31°S, 24°28'E, SAM database] 1905 (E. Neeser, SAM-14475, SAM); 9 ♀, 8 juveniles, Robin Island [33°48'S, 18°22'E, SAM database] December 1896 (Lightfoot & Purcell, SAM-947, SAM); 1 ♂, route N7, 32.4649°S, 18.96103333°E, 7 October 2009, under the bark on the tree (M. Forman, F. Stahlavsky, MF collection #4, DNA sample RMNH.ARA.14514, RMNH); 1 ♂, route N7, 32.4492°S, 18.95845°E, 7 October 2009, under the bark on the tree (M. Forman, F. Stahlavsky, MF collection #8, “I breed few of their offspring" DNA sample RMNH.ARA.14517, RMNH); 1 ♂, route N7, 32.4649°S, 18.96103333°E, October 2009, under the bark on the tree as juvenile (M. Forman, F. Stahlavsky, MF collection #5, DNA sample RMNH.ARA.14518, RMNH); 1 ♀, 1 juvenile, Signal Hill [33°55'S, 18°24'E, SAM database] [no date] (R. Smithers, Thorne, SAM-B9897, SAM); 1 ♀, Signal Hill [33°55'S, 18°24'E] June 1900 (W. F. Purcell, SAM-8542, SAM); 1 ♀, Somerset West [34°5'S, 18°51'E, SAM database] 17 April 1996 (Anne Gray, SAM-ENW-C003710, SAM); 1 ♀, Stellenbosch [33.930°S, 18.860°E] 2 May 1977, onder klippe (S. Neser, AcAT 77/966, NCA); 1 ♀, 2 juveniles, Swartberg, Nat. Res. Gamkaskloof [33.371°S, 21.843°E] 15 February 2000, on soil (Z. v. d. Walt, DNA sample 18-04, AcAT 2002/181, NCA); 1 ♀, 1 juvenile, Swellendam, Tradouw Pass [33°58'S, 20°42'E, SAM database] November 1925 (SAM-B6896, SAM); 1 ♂, Vanrhynsdorp, 31.611650°S, 18.73591667°E, 29 October 2009, under the bark on the tree (M. Forman, F. Stahlavsky, MF collection #7, DNA sample RMNH.ARA.14513, RMNH); 1 ♂, Van Riebeeck Park, 33°56.901'S, 18°25.182'E, 210 m, 28 February 2006, under rocks in pine forest and fynbos (J. Miller, H. Wood, N. Larsen, DNA sample 09-02, CASENT 9023763, CAS); 1 ♀, Van Wyks Rus [34.050°S, 21.200°E] 19 October 1987, under angle iron frame in web (I. Barone, AcAT 88/106, NCA); 1 ♀, Viljoenshof [farm?], Bredasdorp [34°40'S, 19°41'E, SAM database] 11 August 1939 (S. S. de Klerk, SAM-B9925, SAM); 1 ♀, Worcester Div., Goudini, Schlanghoek [Slanghoek] [33°38'S, 19°13'E] December 1896 (R. Francke, SAM-959, SAM). Tanzania: 9 ♀, 25 juveniles, Iringa Distr, Iringa Town, 7°44'46"S, 35°33'15.4"E, 1422 m, 30 May 1997, with one egg sac (ZMUC & SI Exped.1997, ZMUC 19970517, ZMUC); 24 ♀, 11 juveniles, Iringa Distr, Iringa Town [7°44'46"S, 35°33'14.4"E] 1422 m, 17–27 May 1997 (ZMUC & USNM Exp.1997, ZMUC 19970530, ZMUC). Zimbabwe: 1 ♂, Harare, 19 Walmer Drive, 17°15'S, 31°2'E, 15 January 2002, on soil, hand (M. Cummings, AcAT 2005/123, NCA, DNA sample 18-05).
Loureedia annulipes (Lucas, 1857)
Primary types
Eresus annulipesLucas, 1857
Patria Ignota [unknown site] (AR5391, NMHN, holotype). The original description gives the locality as “environs de Rio-Janeiro “ (
Eresus semicanus Simon, 1908
Egypt: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Alexandrie [no date] (AR836, original code 471, original label written by Simon, NHNM, syntypes). Tunisia: 2 ♀, Djerba [no date] (Ltr. [Latreille], AR835, original code 12470, identified as Eresus petagnae Aud. [Erigone petagnae Audouin, 1826], original label written by Simon, NHNM, syntypes, same specimens are syntypes of Erigone jerbae).
Eresus jerbae El-Hennawy, 2005
Tunisia: 2 ♀, Djerba [no date] (Ltr. [Latrelie] AR835, original code 12470, identified as Eresus petagnae Aud. [Erigone petagnae Audouin, 1826], original label written by Simon, NHNM, syntypes, same specimens are syntypes of Erigone semicanus).
Additional specimens examined
Israel: 1 ♀, Negev, Wadi Mashash, 4 December 2004, J. Kral (MR019, MR); 1 ♀, Haluquim, army wadi, 18 November 2004 (PET03, MR); 1 ♂, Haluqim Ridge (n. Sede Boqer), 17 November 1990, Y. Lubin (MR008, HUJ); 1 ♂, Negev, Nitzana [Nitzanna] village, 1 October 2004 (MR018, HUJ).
Paradonea striatipes Lawrence 1968
Primary type
Namibia: 1 ♂, Runtu [Rundu] on the Okavango river, north-east border of S.W. Africa [17.93°S, 19.76°E], 24 April 1967 (J. L. Sheasby, No. T. 639, TMSA, holotype).
Additional specimens examined
Namibia: 1 ♂, Outjo, Kamandjab 19°37'S, 14°51'E, 20 March 1992, in town, on road (J. Irish & E. Marais, NMBA 6035, new nr. NMBA 05700, BMSA); 1 ♂, Otjivasandu [19°31'S, 14°48'E], 29 May 1966 (J. Meyer, NMN). Republic of South Africa:Northern Cape: 1♂, Kathu [27.70°S, 23.05°E], 30 March 2010 (L. Fourie, AcAT 2010/1955, NCA); 1♂, Dithakong Tribal Land, NE of Kuruman, 24 March 2006, pit and funnel trap (M. Burger, AcAT 2009/3152, NCA).
Paradonea splendens Lawrence, 1936
Primary type
Botswana: 1♂, Gemsbok Pan [24.97°S, 21.84°E] [no date] (U. Fitz Simons, TM5913, TMSA, holotype).
Additional specimens examined
Republic of South Africa: Gauteng?: 1 ♂, Sunnyside [25.73°S, 28.21°E] (C1076, SAM); Northern Cape:2♂, Benfontein, Kimberley [28.72°S, 24.75°E], 15 March 1981, on soil, pit traps (S. Erasmus, AcAT 2008/159, NCA).
Paradonea variegata (Purcell, 1904)
Primary type
Adonea variegata Purcell, 1904
Republic of South Africa: 3 ♀, Cape Colony, Namaqualand Div., Great Bushmanland, Naroep [29.34°S, 21.14°E], March, 1989 (Max Schlecter, No. 3701, SAM, syntypes).
Additional specimens examined
Botswana: 1♀, nr Francistown, Selkirk Mine, 21.3222°S, 27.7062°E, November 2007, EIA: site 07: pitfall (D. H. Jacobs, AcAT 2009/177, NCA). Namibia: 1 ♂, app. 50 km SW Aus (on road C13), 27.0473°S, 16.391°E, 9 October 2009 (M. Forman, F. Stahlavsky, MF collection #2, "Nest with app. Ten juveniles under the stone, breed in captivity final moulting (11.1.2011) I still have few living juveniles from this nest", DNA sample RMNH.ARA.14512, RMNH); 1 ♀, app. 50 km SW Aus (on road C13), 27.0473°S, 16.391°E, 9 October 2009 (M. Forman, F. Stahlavsky, MF collection #3, "Nest with app. ten juveniles under the stone, breed in captivity final moulting (11.1.2011) I still have few living juveniles from this nest", DNA sample RMNH.ARA.14522, RMNH). Republic of South Africa: 1 ♂, Kenhart Div., Great Bushmanland, Namies [29.34°S, 21.14°E], March 1898 (Max Schlechter, SAM 3716, SAM); 1 ♀, mid plateau, Kruger National Park [23.24°S, 31.29°E], 7 April 1994, under fallen grass (A. Leroy, LR 1265, AcAT 98/278, NCA); Northern Cape: 1 ♂, Breekkierie Dunes, 30°07'S, 21°33'E, 4 May 1985 (M. Macpherson, C1062, shelf no: SAM/Aran 3147, SAM); 9 ♀, 25 juveniles, Komaggas [29.67°S, 17.54°E], July, 1904 (S. Schulze col. no. 673, ZMB 26963, ZMHB); 5 ♀, 39 juveniles, Komaggas [29.67°S, 17.54°E], July, 1904 (S. Schulze col. no. 676, ZMB 26969, ZMHB); 2 ♀, 4 juveniles, Komaggas [29.67°S, 17.54°E], July, 1904 (S. Schulze, ZMB 26970, ZMHB); 1 ♀, 4 juveniles, Steinkopf [29.26°S, 17.73°E], July, 1904 (S. Schulze col. no. 716, ZMB 26968, ZMHB); 22 ♀, 21 juveniles, Steinkopf [29.26°S, 17.73°E], July, 1904 (S. Schulze col. no. 717, ZMB 26964, ZMHB); 2 ♀, 3 juveniles, Steinkopf [29.26°S, 17.73°E], August, 1904 (S. Schulze col. no. 739, ZMB 26967, ZMHB); Western Cape: 1 ♀, 1 juvenile, Dwars River nr. Cedarberg [32.31°S, 19.15°E], 4 September 1993, burrow under rocks (A. Le Roy, LR 1097, AcAT 94/554, NCA).
Additional records
Republic of South Africa: 1 ♀, Namaqualand Div., Great Bushmanland, Kykgat, March, 1898 (Max Schlechter, not examined); 2 ♀, Calvinia Div., Bokkeveld Mountains about Nieuwoudtville [31.38°S, 19.10°E] (M. Schlechter, August, 1897; C. L. Leipoldt, August 1897, not examined); 3 ♀, 1 juvenile, Worcester Div. Touws River [33.64°S, 19.43°E], August 1903 (R. M. Lightfoot and W. F. Purcell, not examined); 1 ♀, Worcester Div., Matjesfontein [33.55°S, 26.33°E], August 1903 (W. F. Purcell, not examined).
Paradonea parva Tucker, 1920
Primary type
Republic of South Africa: Limpopo:1♂, N.W. Transvaal, Junction of Marico and Crocodile Rivers [24.19°S, 26.87°E], January–February 1918 (B3701, SAM, holotype).
Additional specimens examined
Botswana: 1♂, nr Francistown, Selkirk Mine, 21.2897°S, 27.7631°E, 7 November 2007–29 February 2008, EIA: site 14: pitfall (D. H. Jacobs and M. Stiller, AcAT 2009/178, NCA). Republic of South Africa: Northern Cape:2♂, 4 km N of Hopetown [29.59°S, 24.08°E], December 1996–February 1997, mixed karooveld, pit traps (B. Chambers, AcAT 97/988, NCA); 2♂, Benfontein, 10k S Kimberley [28.82°S, 24.75°E], November–December 1980, pit traps (S. Erasmus, AcAT 81/1003, NCA).
Paradonea presleyi sp. n.
Primary type
Zimbabwe: 1 ♂, Falcon College, 20°18'S, 29°E, 10 November 1990 (V. [and] B. Roth, CASENT 9039236, CAS, holotype).
Additional specimens examined
Republic of South Africa: 1 ♂, Kruger National Park [23.82°S, 31.45°E], 29 November 2005, pit traps PCZ (K. Harris, AcAT 2008/4480, NCA, paratype).
Seothyra henscheli Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1991
Specimens examined
Namibia: 2 ♀, Gobabeb, Kuiseb River at 23°33'57.5"S, 15°02'31.0"E, 363 m, 10 June 2007 (T. L. & G. Bird & H. Vollebrecht, SMN 46627, NMN); 1 ♂, Gobabeb Station (inside house), 23°34'S, 15°02'E, 5 June 1988 (J. R. Henschel, CA0415, SMN 40828, NMN); 1 ♀, Sout Rivier, near Gobabeb [23.56°S, 15.04°E], 14 April 1993 (J. Henschel, CASENT 9039242, CAS).
Stegodyphus lineatus (Latreille, 1817)
Specimens examined
Afghanistan: 1 ♂, Nengrahar, 10 km OOS Jalalabad [34.17183°N, 70.62167°E], 19 February 1966, 620 m (Povolny A. Tenora, MR010, MR). Israel: 1 ♂, Negev [31°N, 34.75°E] [no date] (Y. Lubin, MR). Turkey: 2 ♀, Belkis, near Birecor, 30 June 2004, slopes on right bank of dam on Enfrat, steppe [36.92466°N, 31.14383°E] (M. Řezáč, MR015, MR).
Stegodyphus mimosarum Pavesi, 1883
Specimens examined
Madagascar: Fianarantsoa: 9 ♂, 93 ♀, 4 juveniles, Forêt d'Analalava, 29.6 km 280° W Ranohira, 22°35'30"S, 45°7'42"E, el 700 m, 1–5 February 2003, tropical dry forest EF37 general collecting day spiders (Fisher, Griswold et al., BLF07389, CASENT 9015950, CAS); 2 ♂, 22 ♀, Forêt d'Analalava, 29.6 km 280° W Ranohira, 22°35'30"S, 45°7'42"E, el 700 m, 1–5 February 2003, dry forest on sandy soil, general collecting, beating/puffing spiders (col. Fisher, Griswold, et al., BLF 7390, CASENT 9005869, CAS); Toliara: 2 ♂, 40 ♀, Réserve Spéciale de Cap Sainte Marie, 14.9 km 261° W Marovato, 25.59444°S, 45.14683°E, 160 m, 13–19 February 2002, spiny forest/thicket EH26 general collecting night spiders (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team, BLF05653, CASENT 9012844, CAS). Malawi: 2 ♂, 1 ♀, 31 mi. SE Ft. Hill [9.72°S, 33.27°E], elev. 1600 m, 20 February 1958 (E. Ross, CAS).
Stegodyphus sarasinorum Karsch, 1891
Specimens examined
Myanmar: 2 ♂, 16 ♀, 46 juveniles, Magway Division, 7.5 km E PwintPhyu (=Pwinbyu) 20°25'26.8"N, 94°40'11.2"E, el 79 m, 27 September 2003, from communal nests on Acacia trees (D. Ubick, C. Griswold, CASENT 9019370, CAS).
Stegodyphus sp.
Specimens examined
Myanmar: Magway Division: ShweSettaw Wildlife Reservation, 20°5'51.1"N, 94°33'24.5"E, elev. 450 ft., 28–29 September 2003, deciduous forest, general collecting (C. Griswold, P. Sierwald, D. Ubick, Aye Aye Cho and Tin Mya Soe, Dong Lin photo voucher, CAS; Fig. 3I).